拘束する

• Reading: こうそくする
• Romaji: kousoku suru
• Kanji breakdown: 拘 (kō) — arrest, seize, adhere to; 束 (soku) — bundle, bind
• Pronunciation: /koː.so.kɯ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To restrain; to detain; to bind; to restrict someone's freedom of movement or action.

A する verb meaning to physically or legally restrict someone's freedom. Used in legal contexts (police detention), medical contexts (physical restraint), and figuratively for time or obligations that tie someone down. Common phrases: 身柄を拘束する (to take someone into custody), 拘束時間 (hours of confinement/binding work hours), 拘束力 (binding force/authority).

Examples

1. 容疑者は警察に拘束されて取り調べを受けた。 The suspect was detained by police and subjected to questioning.
2. 会議で一日中拘束されて他の仕事ができなかった。 I was tied up in meetings all day and couldn't get any other work done.
3. この契約には法的な拘束力がある。 This contract has legal binding force.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, police, workplace

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 拘 (arrest, seize, adhere to) + 束 (bundle, bind, sheaf). Together they mean to seize and bind — to restrict freedom.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal