Meaning of 约束
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to restrict
- to limit to
- to constrain
- restriction
- constraint
How to use 约束
约束 is used for rules, laws, or people that hold behavior within limits, and it works both as a verb and as a noun. Common phrases include 约束自己 (restrain oneself) and 受到约束 (be constrained). Example: 法律约束每个人的行为。 (Fǎlǜ yuēshù měi gè rén de xíngwéi.) The law constrains everyone's behavior.
约 (yuē) has the silk radical 纟, like a cord tied around something, and 束 (shù) means a bundle. Think of tying a cord around a bundle of sticks so nothing can move freely: that is 约束, to restrain.
Common mistake: Learners mix up 约束 (yuēshù, to restrict) with 结束 (jiéshù, to end) because they share 束 and both first characters have 纟. Check the first character: 约 has 勺 on the right, 结 has 吉.
约束 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
约 yuē · to make an appointment · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
束 shù · to bind · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 约束.
| 结束 | jiéshù | to end; to finish; to conclude |
| 大约 | dàyuē | approximately; probably |
| 节约 | jiéyuē | to economize; to conserve (resources) |
| 约会 | yuēhuì | appointment; engagement |
| 签约 | qiānyuē | to sign a contract or agreement |
| 制约 | zhìyuē | to restrict; condition |
| 约定 | yuēdìng | to agree on sth (after discussion); to conclude a bargain |
| 预约 | yùyuē | booking; reservation |
| 合约 | héyuē | contract; agreement |
| 束缚 | shùfù | to bind; to tie up; to fetter; to shackle |
| 契约 | qìyuē | agreement; contract |
| 条约 | tiáoyuē | treaty; pact |
Questions about 约束
What does 约束 mean?
约束 (yuēshù) means "to restrict; to limit to" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 约束?
约束 is made of 2 characters: 约 (6 strokes), 束 (7 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 约束 an HSK word?
Yes. 约束 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 约束 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 约束 is written 約束.
What is the difference between 约束 and 制约?
约束 usually means keeping people or behavior within rules, as in 约束孩子. 制约 is more abstract and often describes factors limiting each other, as in 经济发展受到资源的制约 (economic growth is limited by resources).
Can 约束 be used with 不受 to mean 'unrestrained'?
Yes. 不受约束 (bú shòu yuēshù) means free from constraints, for example 他喜欢不受约束的生活 (He likes a life without restrictions).