1.
shackles, fetters, leg irons
Physical restraints placed on the legs to restrict movement, historically used on prisoners.
囚人は足枷をはめられた。
The prisoner was put in leg irons.
昔の奴隷は足枷をつけられていた。
Slaves in the past were made to wear shackles.
足枷がはずれて自由になった。
The shackles came off and I became free.
2.
hindrance, impediment, encumbrance
Something that restricts freedom or progress figuratively.
借金が足枷になっている。
Debt has become a hindrance.
古い慣習が改革の足枷になっている。
Old customs are hindering reform.
過去の失敗を足枷にせず、前に進もう。
Let's not let past failures hold us back and move forward.
足枷 can be literal (physical restraints) or figurative (obstacles).
WRITING:
May also be written as 足かせ} or {足鎖.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 足枷になる: to become a hindrance
- 足枷をはめる: to put on shackles; to impose restrictions
- 足枷がはずれる: for shackles to come off; to be freed from restrictions
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 手枷: handcuffs, hand shackles
- 足を引っ張る: to hold someone back