约束 (yuē shù) — to restrict, to constrain, to limit (by rules,…

Definition

To bind or restrain (behavior) by rules, agreements, or moral duty — stronger and more binding than 限制. Also a noun: a constraint or restriction.

verb

to restrictto constrainto limit (by rules, agreements, or moral bonds)

约束。
Měi gè rén dōu yīng gāi yuē shù zì jǐ de xíng wéi.
Everyone should constrain their own behavior.
约束。
Fǎ lǜ yòng lái yuē shù gōng mín de bú dàng xíng wéi.
The law is used to constrain citizens' improper behavior.
约束。
Hé tong shuāng fāng dōu yào shòu yuē shù.
Both parties to the contract must be bound.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

约yuērestrict

约 means to restrict, and 束 means to bind, so the word means to keep something within limits.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 約; 约 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìrope

Sound part声符shēngfú

勺

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 約 uses 糸, a rope, for its meaning and 勺 for its sound; the simplified 约 is a later shorthand.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The shape of 束 comes from a drawing of a bag tied at both ends.

Appears in