縛(しば)り

しばり
noun
binding, restriction, constraint, rule
See also: 縛(しば)る (verb form)
1. binding, tying up
The physical act of binding or tying something or someone.
荷物(にもつ)の縛(しば)りがゆるい。
The binding on the luggage is loose.
2. restriction, constraint, rule, limitation
A rule or condition that limits what one can do. Very common in gaming contexts for self-imposed challenges, and in business for contractual restrictions.
この学校(がっこう)は校則(こうそく)の縛(しば)りがきつい。
This school's rules are strict.
俳句(はいく)は五七五(ごしちご)という縛(しば)りがあるからこそ面白(おもしろ)い。
Haiku is interesting precisely because of the five-seven-five constraint.
時間(じかん)の縛(しば)りがない仕事(しごと)がしたい。
I want a job without time constraints.
縛(しば)りプレイで最初(さいしょ)から武器(ぶき)を使(つか)わずにクリアした。
I cleared the game on a challenge run without using weapons from the start.
契約(けいやく)の縛(しば)りがあるので、2年間(ねんかん)は解約(かいやく)できない。
There's a contract restriction, so I can't cancel for two years.

Usage

The figurative sense (restriction, constraint) is extremely common in modern Japanese. In gaming culture, 縛(しば)りプレイ refers to a self-imposed challenge run where the player adds extra restrictions. In everyday use, it often refers to contractual or regulatory restrictions.

Forms

Noun form of the verb 縛(しば)る (to bind, to tie).

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.27 14:13 · Revised 2026.10.1 17:29
13500/13843_shibari