How to say "bind" in Japanese

• 結ぶむすぶJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers the sense of tying or binding by joining two things together, such as knotting a cord or fastening something closed. The most natural choice when 'bind' suggests tying a knot or forming a link.
• 縛るしばるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbUsed for binding or fastening something tightly so it cannot move, such as tying someone up or strapping a load down. Choose it when 'bind' implies restraint or firm fastening with rope or the like.
  どろぼうは手足てあしを縛しばられた。↗

  The thief was bound hand and foot.
• とじるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers the document-related sense of 'bind'—fastening sheets of paper together, as when binding a report or manuscript. For paper and files it is the natural choice; it does not suit tying rope or binding people.
  紙かみを綴とじるのにホチキスはとても便利べんりです。↗

  A stapler is very useful for attaching papers together.
• ピンチCommon
  nounThis is the figurative sense 'in a bind', meaning a tough spot or crisis, not the physical act of binding. If you mean being in trouble rather than tying something, this is the word you want; it never refers to fastening objects.
  我々われわれは絶体絶命ぜったいぜつめいのピンチに追い込おいこまれた。↗

  We were driven to the wall.
• くくるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers binding things together into a bundle—tying several items as one group. Use it when 'bind' means bundling sticks, papers, or similar items together; for a simple knot, 結ぶ is usually the better word.
  書類しょるいは全部ぜんぶテープでくくられて金庫きんこにおさめられた。↗

  All the papers were taped up and kept in the safe.

For physical binding choose 「結ぶ」, 「縛る」, 「くくる」, or 「とじる」 by manner—tying, fastening tightly, bundling together, or binding documents—while the figurative 'in a bind' sense is 「ピンチ」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 結ぶむすぶto tie
• 縛るしばるto tie
• とじるto bind
• ピンチpinch
• くくるto tie up
• 結びつけるむすびつけるto tie (to)
• 結わえるゆわえるto bind
• 縛するばくするto bind
• 縛めるいましめるto bind (with rope, etc.)
• 絆すほだすto fetter
• 絡げるからげるto tie up
• ふん縛るふんじばるto tie up (roughly; esp. to prevent escape)
• 結わえ付けるゆわえつけるto tie
• 縛り付けるしばりつけるto tie
• くくりつけるto fasten (something or someone) to
• 締め上げるしめあげるto firmly tighten (e.g. around neck, throat)
• 綴るつづるto bind (e.g. documents)
• 羽目はめplight
• 結うゆうto tie
• かけるto bind
• 打つうつto bind (a criminal)