bok3縛缚
Jyutpingbok3
Yalebok
Definition
To bind, tie up, or fasten.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
While 縛 is the standard character for binding or tying, in spoken Cantonese, people often use the colloquial term 綁 instead. 縛 carries a slightly more formal or descriptive weight, often appearing in written instructions or when describing the act of securing something tightly with rope or string. When referring to tying shoelaces, 綁 is significantly more common than 縛 in daily speech.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 縛 with 綁, but they are largely interchangeable in meaning. The main trap is that 縛 can sound slightly stiff or literary in casual conversation, so using 綁 is usually the safer bet for everyday objects like shoelaces or packages.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
