(しば)

しばり
noun
binding, restriction, constraint, rule
1. binding, tying up
The physical act of binding or tying something or someone.
ロープで手足(てあし)(しば)りにする。
Bind the hands and feet with a rope.
荷物(にもつ)(しば)りがゆるい。
The binding on the luggage is loose.
地縛(じしば)りになっていて身動(みうご)きがとれない。
I'm bound to this place and can't move freely.
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.
時間(じかん)(しば)りがない仕事(しごと)がしたい。
I want a job without time constraints.
(しば)りプレイで最初(さいしょ)から武器(ぶき)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)(しば)りがあるので、2年間(ねんかん)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, (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.

WORD FORMATION:
Noun form of the verb (しば)る (to bind, to tie).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (しば)りプレイ: challenge run (gaming, with self-imposed rules)
  • 時間(じかん)(しば)り: time constraint
  • 契約(けいやく)(しば)り: contract restriction
  • (しば)りがない: no restrictions, unrestricted
  • (しば)りがきつい: strict restrictions