足(あし)かせ

あしかせ
noun
shackle, fetter, hindrance
See also: 足枷(あしかせ) (shackle (kanji))
1. shackle, fetter, leg iron
A device fastened around the ankles to restrain a person. Used literally for physical restraints.
囚人(しゅうじん)に足(あし)かせをはめた。
They put shackles on the prisoner.
重(おも)い足(あし)かせを外(はず)された。
The heavy shackles were removed.
鎖(くさり)の足(あし)かせをつけられたまま歩(ある)かされた。
He was made to walk with chain shackles still on.
2. hindrance, obstacle, burden
Something that restricts freedom of action or progress. Commonly used figuratively.
借金(しゃっきん)が足(あし)かせになっている。
Debt has become a burden.
古(ふる)いルールが足(あし)かせとなっている。
Old rules are acting as a hindrance.
過去(かこ)の失敗(しっぱい)が足(あし)かせとなって、新(あたら)しいことに挑戦(ちょうせん)できない。
Past failures act as a fetter, preventing me from taking on new challenges.

Forms

足(あし) (foot, leg) + かせ (枷(かせ), shackle) = leg shackle

Writing

Can be written as 足枷(あしかせ). The mixed form 足(あし)かせ is common.

Common patterns

  • 足(あし)かせになる: to become a hindrance
  • 足(あし)かせとなる: to serve as an obstacle (slightly more formal)
  • 足(あし)かせをはめる: to put shackles on

Usage

The figurative sense (hindrance, burden) is more common in modern usage than the literal sense. Often used in news and business contexts to describe obstacles to progress.

general
Added 2026.3.17 11:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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