桎梏 (zhì gù) — shackles (literal); fetters; (figurative) constraints, restrictions

Definition

A literary word for 'shackles, fetters' — both the literal restraints on prisoners and, more often, figurative constraints (poverty, tradition, ideology) that hold people back.

noun
shackles (literal)fetters(figurative) constraintsrestrictions

Examples

  • 桎梏。
    Gǔ dài fàn rén cháng bèi dài shàng zhì gù.
    Ancient prisoners were often put in shackles.
  • 桎梏。
    Chuán tǒng de guān niàn chéng wéi le yì zhǒng zhì gù.
    Traditional concepts have become a kind of shackle.
  • 桎梏。
    Tā nǔ lì bǎi tuō pín kùn de zhì gù.
    He strives to escape the shackles of poverty.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

桎zhìfoot shackles
梏gùhand shackles

“桎” (foot shackles) and “梏” (hand shackles) are parallel terms for binding devices, giving shackles or constraints.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
至
至zhì桎zhì
Same sound today

桎 pairs 木 (wood) with 至; the 木 part connects it to wood, and 至 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
告
告gào梏gù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The 木 part shows it is made of wood, as in wooden handcuffs, and 告 is used for the sound.

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