箍 (gū) - To bind, hoop, or encircle tightly & a hoop or band used to bind objects

箍Tone 1

gū ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

箍 · gū

To bind, hoop, or encircle tightly;

a hoop or band used to bind objects together;

to restrain or constrain.

To bind, hoop, or encircle tightlya hoop or band used to bind objectsto restrain or constrain.

Usage highlights

Iron hoopHair bandBamboo bindingMetal bandTo bind tightlyBarrel hoop

Synonyms

  • 束— to bind, tie
  • 绑— to tie, bind
  • 圈— circle, ring

Antonyms

  • 松— loose, relax
  • 解— untie, release
  • 放— release, let go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The barrel needs a metal hoop (铁箍).
  • She tied her hair with a hairband (头箍).
  • The ancient book had a bamboo binding (竹箍).
  • They used wire to bind the structure (用铁丝箍住).

Collocations

  • Iron hoop(铁箍)
  • Hair band(头箍)
  • Bamboo binding(竹箍)
  • Metal band(金属箍)
  • To bind tightly(箍紧)
  • Barrel hoop(桶箍)

Idioms

  • Tightly bound and constrained(紧箍咒)
  • Like being bound by a hoop(如箍如束)
  • Tight as a drum(紧如箍桶)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in traditional crafts for binding barrels, buckets, and bamboo structures.
  • In Buddhism, '紧箍咒' refers to the Incantation of the Golden Hoop from Journey to the West, used to subdue Sun Wukong.
  • Represents both practical craftsmanship and metaphorical constraint or discipline.

FAQ