1.
shackle, fetter, leg iron
A device fastened around the ankles to restrain a person. Used literally for physical restraints.
囚人に足かせをはめた。
They put shackles on the prisoner.
重い足かせを外された。
The heavy shackles were removed.
鎖の足かせをつけられたまま歩かされた。
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.
借金が足かせになっている。
Debt has become a burden.
古いルールが足かせとなっている。
Old rules are acting as a hindrance.
過去の失敗が足かせとなって、新しいことに挑戦できない。
Past failures act as a fetter, preventing me from taking on new challenges.
WORD FORMATION:
足 (foot, leg) + かせ (枷, shackle) = leg shackle
KANJI NOTE:
Can be written as 足枷. The mixed form 足かせ is common.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 足かせになる: to become a hindrance
- 足かせとなる: to serve as an obstacle (slightly more formal)
- 足かせをはめる: to put shackles on
NOTE:
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.