Chinese word

约束

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuē shù

Meaning

  • verbrestrict

Example

公司规章可以约束员工的行为。gōng sī guī zhāng ké yǐ yuē shù yuán gōng de xíng wéi

Company rules can restrict employees' behavior.

Illustration for 约束 (restrict)

More examples

过度的规章会约束创造力。guò dù de guī zhāng huì yuē shù chuàng zào lì

Excessive rules can restrict creativity.

Core concept

Something is held in place by rules, conditions, or force, leaving less freedom to move or develop.

Common phrases

  • 约束自己yuē shù zì jǐ

    restrain oneself

  • 受到约束shòu dào yuē shù

    be restricted

  • 约束行为yuē shù xíng wéi

    restrict behavior

Similar words

控制kòng zhì: To keep a person, situation, or process working as intended.
限制xiàn zhì: To prevent something from exceeding a fixed range, quantity, or scope.
管理guán lǐ: To oversee an organization or matter and keep its work in good order.
规定guī dìng: To establish and announce a rule, standard, or requirement.

Definition in Chinese

把人或事用规则、条件或力量捆绑，使其行动或发展受限。bǎ rén huò shì yòng guī zé tiáo jiàn huò lì liàng kún bǎng shǐ qí xíng dòng huò fā zhǎn shòu xiàn

Word origin

约束 (yuēshù, "to bind and hold in") is a compound of 约 (yuē, "to bind") and 束 (shù, "to tie or bundle"), which extends the concrete act of binding to behavior and development.

Usage tips

  • The verb is useful for situations in which rules, duties, or pressure reduce freedom, while a simple act of fastening usually calls for a more literal physical verb.

Other meanings

  • tie downverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 约束力yuē shù lìbinding forcenoun
  • 约束性yuē shù xìngrestrictivenessnoun
  • 约束条件yuē shù tiáo jiànconstraint conditionnoun

Word lists with this word