Japanese word

結ぶ

Pronunciation

Romajimusubu

Meaning

  • verbtie

Example

靴ひもを結びます。kutsu hi mo o musu bi ma su

I tie my shoelaces.

Illustration for 結ぶ (tie)

More examples

赤いリボンを結びます。aka i ri bo n o musu bi ma su

I tie a red ribbon.

その道は二つの村を結びます。so no michi wa futa tsu no mura o musu bi ma su

That road connects two villages.

Core concept

Describes bringing separate strands or objects together so they remain joined.

Common phrases

  • 靴ひもを結ぶkutsu hi mo o musu bu

    tie shoelaces

  • ひもを結ぶhi mo o musu bu

    tie a string

  • リボンを結ぶri bo n o musu bu

    tie a ribbon

Similar words

繋ぐtsunagu: To connect separate people, places, or things by creating a link between them.
締めるshimeru: To make clothing or an object firm and secure by tightening it.
縛るshibaru: To tie a person or thing tightly so that movement is restricted.

Definition in Japanese

ひもなどを交差させて結び目を作り、離れないようにつなぐこと。hi mo na do o kō sa sa se te musu bi me o tsuku ri hana re na i yō ni tsu na gu ko to

Word origin

結ぶ (musubu) is a native Japanese verb recorded in Old Japanese as むすぶ (musubu), with the basic sense of tying or joining.

Usage tips

  • For a belt, Japanese usually uses 締める (shimeru), while 結ぶ (musubu) suits a knot or shoelaces.

Other meanings

  • connectverb
  • bindverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 結び方musubikataway of tyingnoun
  • 結び目musubimeknotnoun
  • 結び付きmusubitsukiconnectionnoun

Word lists with this word