Definition
拘 is a bound morpheme (黏着语素) that cannot stand alone; it appears in compounds such as 拘捕 (arrest), 拘留 (detain), 拘束 (restrain/restricted), and 拘谨 (ill-at-ease). Its meanings split into two clusters: concrete actions of arrest or physical restraint, and abstract states of being constrained or socially inflexible. Knowing which compound it's in determines the exact sense.
b.f.
(bound morpheme) to arrestto detain(bound morpheme) to restrainto restrict(bound morpheme) constrainedstiff (of personality or style)
Examples
- 。Jǐngchá jūbǔ le yí gè wéifǎ fènzǐ.The police arrested a lawbreaker.
- 。Zài zhè zhǒng zhèngshì chǎnghé tā xiǎnde hěn jūjǐn.He seems very stiff and ill-at-ease in this formal setting.
- 。Nà ge guīdìng jūshù le dàjiā de xíngwéi.That regulation restricted everyone's behavior.
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