絆(きずな)

絆(きずな) refers to deep emotional bonds between people — stronger and more enduring than a casual connection. It implies a relationship forged through shared experiences or hardship.

Common collocations

• 絆(きずな)を深(ふか)める (deepen bonds)
• 絆(きずな)を結(むす)ぶ (form bonds)
• 絆(きずな)が強(つよ)い (have strong bonds)
• 家族(かぞく)の絆(きずな) (family bonds)
• 友情(ゆうじょう)の絆(きずな) (bonds of friendship)
• 絆(きずな)を大切(たいせつ)にする (cherish one's bonds)

Cultural note

Became a symbolic word after the 2011 東日本大震災(ひがしにほんだいしんさい) (Great East Japan Earthquake), representing community solidarity and mutual support. It was selected as the 'kanji of the year' (今年(ことし)の漢字(かんじ)) for 2011.

Similar words

• 繋(つな)がり: a more general 'connection' or 'link,' not necessarily emotional
• 縁(えん): fate-based connection, the idea that people are brought together by destiny