How to say "binding" in Japanese

• 表紙ひょうしJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounPrimarily the cover of a book or magazine; its 'binding' sense refers to the book's physical outer covering rather than the binding process or a binding agreement.
  彼かれは手てを伸のばして小ちいさな皮かわ表紙ひょうしの本ほんをとった。↗

  He reached out and took down a small leather bound book.
• 締めしめCommon
  nounCovers 'binding' as the physical act of tying or fastening something tightly; it is a general noun for tightening and securing things, not a term for bookbinding or legal binding.
• 拘束こうそくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe figurative sense: binding as in an agreement or rule that binds, or restraint that restricts a person's freedom; it does not refer to bookbinding or physical tying.
  この決定けっていは諸君しょくん全部ぜんぶを拘束こうそくするものではない。↗

  This decision is not binding on all of you.
• 装丁そうていCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe binding of a book as its overall design and finish — format, cover style and appearance — rather than the physical process of putting the book together.
• 製本せいほんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe act or process of binding a book — bookbinding as a craft; use this when 'binding' means physically putting a book together rather than its look or a restraint.
  コミックマーケット６７にてコピー本ほん販売はんばい。無事ぶじ完売かんばいしたので製本せいほんしました。↗

  They were sold as photocopy books in Comic Market 67. We had no problem selling all of them, so we had bound copies made.

For books, 製本 is the binding process, 装丁 the binding as a designed look, and 表紙 the cover; 「締め」 is physical tying or tightening, while 拘束 is figurative binding — restraint or a binding obligation.

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

• 表紙ひょうしcover (of a book, magazine, etc.)
• 締めしめtying up
• 拘束こうそくrestriction
• 装丁そうていbinding (of a book)
• 製本せいほんbookbinding
• 表装ひょうそうmounting (of a picture)
• 接着せっちゃくadhesion
• 縛りしばりbinding
• バインドbinding
• 縛めいましめbonds
• バインディングbinding
• ビンディングfoot fastening (ski)
• 羈縻きびtying down
• 繋縛けいばくconstraint
• 締め具しめぐclamp
• 束縛そくばくbinding
• 結束けっそくbundling
• 綴りつづりfile
• 装そうbinding (of a book)