結ぶ

• Reading: むすぶ
• Romaji: musubu
• Kanji breakdown: 結 (ketsu/musu) — tie, bind, join, conclude
• Pronunciation: /mɯ.sɯ.bɯ/

Meaning

To tie; to bind; to link; to form. Used for physical tying and forming connections or agreements.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the ぶ row. Very versatile: tying knots (靴ひもを結ぶ), forming agreements (契約を結ぶ), linking places (二つの都市を結ぶ), and bearing fruit (実を結ぶ). The noun form 結び (musubi) means a knot or bond, carrying deep cultural significance in Japanese tradition.

Examples

1. 子供がやっと一人で靴ひもを結べるようになった。 The child can finally tie their shoelaces on their own.
2. 両社は新しい契約を結んだ。 Both companies signed a new contract.
3. 長年の努力がやっと実を結んだ。 Years of hard work have finally borne fruit.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, business, relationships

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 結 combines 糸 (thread radical) and 吉 (good fortune). Threads of good fortune tied together — forming bonds that bring favourable outcomes.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal