Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'bind' holds a wealth of significance and cultural importance across languages and regions. Derived from Old English 'bindan' and Germanic 'bindan,' it signifies the act of connecting, fastening, or securing things together. This concept is universal, making 'bind' a word of interest for anyone curious about language and culture.
Historically, 'bind' has been used in various cultural contexts, such as binding books, tying the knot in weddings, or even in folklore where trolls bind people in their magical chains. Its translation in different languages not only uncovers linguistic nuances but also reveals fascinating cultural insights.
For instance, in Spanish, 'bind' translates to 'atar,' while in German, it's 'binden.' In French, 'lier' is used, and in Japanese, 'बाँधना' (Bāndhnā) is the equivalent term. These translations offer a glimpse into how diverse cultures have interpreted and communicated this fundamental concept.
Afrikaans | bind | ||
The Afrikaans word 'bind' can also refer to vines or a bundle of sticks tied together. | |||
Amharic | ማሰር | ||
The verb “ማስር” can also mean “to restrain” | |||
Hausa | daura | ||
In addition to its primary meaning of "bind," "daura" can also mean "to appoint" or "to decorate with rings or other ornaments." | |||
Igbo | kee agbụ | ||
Kee agbụ' in Igbo is a compound noun meaning 'to bind' and 'to tie', which are actions performed on a physical object. | |||
Malagasy | fehezinao | ||
The word "fehezinao" can also mean "to wrap" or "to enclose" in Malagasy. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kumanga | ||
The word 'kumanga' in Nyanja (Chichewa) also means 'to collect', 'to arrest', or 'to hold'. | |||
Shona | kusunga | ||
The Shona word "kusunga" also means "to hold" or "to keep." | |||
Somali | xirid | ||
The Somali word 'xirid' can also mean 'to seize' or 'to captivate'. | |||
Sesotho | tlama | ||
The word 'tlama' (bind) may have been borrowed from the Proto-Bantu word *-tamba meaning 'to tie' or 'to fasten'. | |||
Swahili | funga | ||
Funga also refers to a plant or its leaves used as a broom, or to a type of basket made from leaves and worn on the back. | |||
Xhosa | bopha | ||
In Xhosa the word "bopha" also means to "close" or "seal" something shut. | |||
Yoruba | dipọ | ||
The Yoruba word 'dipọ' also means 'to tie' or 'to fasten' and is related to the word 'dìpẹ' ('to be bound') as well as the phrase 'dìpẹ dípẹ' ('firmly bound'). | |||
Zulu | hlanganisa | ||
Hlanganisa, meaning 'to bind', also refers to a 'combined meal' of different dishes, reflecting Zulu culture's emphasis on community and sharing. | |||
Bambara | ka siri | ||
Ewe | bla | ||
Kinyarwanda | bind | ||
Lingala | kosangisa | ||
Luganda | okusiba | ||
Sepedi | bofa | ||
Twi (Akan) | kyekyere | ||
Arabic | ربط | ||
ربط (bind) is used in Arabic to mean connect, fasten | |||
Hebrew | לִקְשׁוֹר | ||
The Hebrew root "קשר" ("bind") also signifies "connection" and "relationship". | |||
Pashto | تړل | ||
The Pashto word "تړل" can also mean "to tie" or "to connect." | |||
Arabic | ربط | ||
ربط (bind) is used in Arabic to mean connect, fasten |
Albanian | lidh | ||
In Albanian, "lidh" can also refer to a union, organization, or connection. | |||
Basque | lotu | ||
In some meanings, 'lotu' shares a common root with 'lot' in 'solotasuna' ('solitude'), from Latin 'solus' ('alone'). | |||
Catalan | lligar | ||
In Catalan, "lligar" not only means "to bind" but also "to tie" and "to fasten", deriving from the Latin "ligare" with the same meanings. | |||
Croatian | vezati | ||
The Croatian word "vezati" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *vęzati, which also means "to tie" or "to fasten." | |||
Danish | binde | ||
The Danish word "binde" also means "skein" or "yarn ball." | |||
Dutch | binden | ||
Bind has other meanings in Dutch besides "bind": fasten or bind a rope; to bind, to tie up or secure something with a rope or band. | |||
English | bind | ||
The word "bind" can also mean "to restrict or limit, especially by a legal obligation or promise." | |||
French | lier | ||
In Old French, "lier" also meant "to unite" or "to join". | |||
Frisian | bine | ||
The Frisian word "bine" can also mean "vine." | |||
Galician | atar | ||
The word “atar” comes from the Latin verb “aptare,” meaning “to fit” or “to adapt”. | |||
German | binden | ||
The word "binden" in German can also mean "to tie" or "to wind". | |||
Icelandic | binda | ||
In Icelandic, "binda" also refers to a type of Icelandic traditional knitting. | |||
Irish | ceangail | ||
The word "ceangail" in Irish also has the alternate meaning of "connect" or "join". | |||
Italian | legare | ||
From Latin 'legare,' also meaning 'choose' or 'appoint' (an ambassador or delegate). | |||
Luxembourgish | binden | ||
In Luxembourgish, "binden" can also mean "to build" or "to bundle". | |||
Maltese | torbot | ||
The word "torbot" in Maltese can also refer to a type of knot or to a bundle of straw or hay. | |||
Norwegian | binde | ||
In Norwegian, "binde" can mean "bind," but it can also refer to a type of bread roll | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | ligar | ||
Although the meaning in Portuguese is 'to bind', the term 'ligar' is derived from the Latin 'ligare', which also means 'to gather' or 'to connect'. | |||
Scots Gaelic | ceangail | ||
The word "ceangail" in Scots Gaelic can also refer to a connection or relationship between people or things. | |||
Spanish | enlazar | ||
The verb "enlazar" can also mean "to link" or "to connect" in Spanish, derived from the Latin word "ligāre" meaning "to tie". | |||
Swedish | binda | ||
The Swedish word 'binda' can also mean 'bandage', 'tourniquet', or 'fetter'. | |||
Welsh | rhwymo | ||
The verb 'rhwymo' also has a meaning of 'to obstruct', as in blocking the flow of a stream. |
Belarusian | звязваць | ||
This word originates from Old Church Slavonic, where it has the same meaning as in modern Belarusian (as well as many other Slavic languages and in Greek). | |||
Bosnian | vezati | ||
Bosnian word 'vezati' also means 'connect', 'join', 'attach', 'link', 'fasten', or 'secure' | |||
Bulgarian | обвързвам | ||
The word "обвързвам" ("bind") in Bulgarian also has the figurative meaning of "to commit to a relationship". | |||
Czech | svázat | ||
The verb "svázat" can also mean "to connect" or "to join". | |||
Estonian | siduma | ||
Siduma, meaning 'to bind,' derives from the Proto-Finnic *site-, also meaning 'to bind' and ultimately originating in the Proto-Uralic *sit-. | |||
Finnish | sitoa | ||
The word "sitoa" also means "to attach" or "to join" in Finnish. | |||
Hungarian | megkötözni | ||
The word "megkötözni" also means "to tie the knot". | |||
Latvian | saistīt | ||
The word "saistīt" can also mean "to involve" or "to oblige". | |||
Lithuanian | įpareigoti | ||
The verb "įpareigoti" comes from the noun "pareiga," meaning "duty" | |||
Macedonian | врзи | ||
The word "врзи" also means to "tie" or "wrap" something. | |||
Polish | wiązać | ||
"Wiązać" also means "to connect" or "to tie together" in Polish. | |||
Romanian | lega | ||
The Romanian word "lega" derives from the Latin "ligare" and also means "league", "contract", and "law". | |||
Russian | связывать | ||
Russian verb "связывать" derives from the Indo-European root "*sewq-/*sow-/(to sew)" and shares a common origin with the Old Norse word "sya" (to sew). | |||
Serbian | везати | ||
The verb "везати" also means "to tie" and "to connect" in Serbian, and comes from the Proto-Slavic word *vezati, which also means "to bind". | |||
Slovak | viazať | ||
Slovak "viazať" also means "to tie," "to fasten," "to unite," and "to engage with rope or cord." | |||
Slovenian | vezati | ||
"Vezati" also means "to tie the knot" (marriage). | |||
Ukrainian | пов'язувати | ||
The Ukrainian word "пов'язувати" also means "to connect" or "to link". |
Bengali | বাঁধাই করা | ||
The word "বাঁধাই করা" also means "to tie up" or "to fasten" in Bengali. | |||
Gujarati | બાંધો | ||
બાંધો ('bind') also means 'shape', 'structure', or 'constitution'. | |||
Hindi | बाँध | ||
The Hindi word "बाँध" "bind" also means "a dam". This is because dams restrain the flow of water, just as bindings restrain the movement of objects. | |||
Kannada | ಬಂಧಿಸಿ | ||
The word "ಬಂಧಿಸಿ" can also mean "to catch" or "to captivate". | |||
Malayalam | ബന്ധിക്കുക | ||
Also means, "to fasten with a string, cord, or the like". | |||
Marathi | बांधणे | ||
The Marathi word 'बंधणे' (bind) comes from the Sanskrit root word 'bandh' meaning 'to bind together' or 'to fasten'. | |||
Nepali | बाँध्नु | ||
The word "बाँध्नु" in Nepali can also mean "to build" or "to construct". | |||
Punjabi | ਬੰਨ੍ਹ | ||
The word "ਬੰਨ੍ਹ" can also mean to tie together, fasten, or attach. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | බැඳ තබන්න | ||
The term "bind" can also mean "obligate" in a legal or moral sense. | |||
Tamil | கட்டுதல் | ||
The word 'கட்டுதல்' also means 'to establish', 'to fix', 'to fasten', 'to tie', and 'to restrict'. | |||
Telugu | కట్టు | ||
The word "కట్టు" also means "to wear" or "to tie". | |||
Urdu | باندھنا | ||
The word 'باندھنا' in Urdu can also mean 'to restrain' or 'to tie up'. |
Chinese (Simplified) | 捆绑 | ||
捆绑 can also mean "to tie up" or "to restrain" in Chinese. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 捆綁 | ||
"捆綁", in addition to meaning "bind", can also mean "tie; truss" or "bundling." | |||
Japanese | 練る | ||
"練る" also means "knead" or "train". | |||
Korean | 묶다 | ||
The verb '묶다' can also mean to tie up, fasten, or secure something with a rope or cord. | |||
Mongolian | холбох | ||
The root "холбоо" also signifies connection, relation or unity. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ချည်နှောင် | ||
Indonesian | mengikat | ||
Mengikat in Indonesian also refers to joining together or tying up. | |||
Javanese | ngiket | ||
"Ngiket" in Javanese also refers to a situation when a person is unable to move or speak freely due to a physical or emotional constraint. | |||
Khmer | ចង | ||
The Khmer word "ចង" also means "to connect" or "to join". | |||
Lao | ຜູກມັດ | ||
The second meaning of this word is to be bound by marriage. | |||
Malay | mengikat | ||
The Malay word "mengikat" not only means "to bind" but also "to restrain". Specifically, it's used to describe the act of restraining ghosts or spirits with magical ropes. | |||
Thai | ผูก | ||
The word ผูก (bind) in Thai has a homophone that means to tie something together. | |||
Vietnamese | trói buộc | ||
The word "trói buộc" can also refer to a covenant, a promise, or a moral obligation. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | magbigkis | ||
Azerbaijani | bağlamaq | ||
The Azerbaijani verb "bağlamaq" also means to "connect" or "join" two or more things together. | |||
Kazakh | байланыстыру | ||
The word "байланыстыру" can also mean "to connect" or "to relate" in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | байлоо | ||
The word "байлоо" also means "to tie" or "to wrap" in Kyrgyz. | |||
Tajik | бастан | ||
In the Tajik language, the word "бастан" is the present form of the word "баст", which also means "to tie" or "to knot". | |||
Turkmen | daňmak | ||
Uzbek | bog'lash | ||
The word "bog'lash" in Uzbek has an alternate meaning of "to get close to". | |||
Uyghur | باغلاش | ||
Hawaiian | hoʻopaʻa | ||
The word “hoʻopaʻa” can also mean “to block” or “to restrain.” | |||
Maori | herea | ||
The word "herea" in Maori can also refer to a type of vine used for binding. | |||
Samoan | fusifusia | ||
The noun "fusifusia" can also mean "a bundle of bananas". | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | magbigkis | ||
Magbigkis can also mean "to wear" or "to put on clothing". |
Aymara | mayachaña | ||
Guarani | mbojoaju | ||
Esperanto | ligi | ||
Esperanto's "ligi" may originate from the Old Norse word "ligja," meaning "to lie," suggesting a connection between binding and lying down. | |||
Latin | alliges duplicia | ||
The word "alliges" comes from the Latin word "alligare," meaning "to bind" or "to tie up." |
Greek | δένω | ||
"δένω" can also mean "to unite" or "to engage in a commitment." | |||
Hmong | khi | ||
Alternatively, khi can refer to the binding of livestock, as well as binding a corpse before a funeral. | |||
Kurdish | bihevgirêdan | ||
In Old Persian, the word "bihevgiraydan" meant "to marry" or "to espouse". | |||
Turkish | bağlamak | ||
The word 'bağlamak' also means 'to connect' or 'to attach', and is related to the word 'bağ' (bond). | |||
Xhosa | bopha | ||
In Xhosa the word "bopha" also means to "close" or "seal" something shut. | |||
Yiddish | בינדן | ||
In Yiddish, "בינדן" also means "to wrap up" or "to package". | |||
Zulu | hlanganisa | ||
Hlanganisa, meaning 'to bind', also refers to a 'combined meal' of different dishes, reflecting Zulu culture's emphasis on community and sharing. | |||
Assamese | বন্ধা | ||
Aymara | mayachaña | ||
Bhojpuri | जिल्द | ||
Dhivehi | އެއްކޮށް ހިފެހެއްޓިފައިވުން | ||
Dogri | बन्नना | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | magbigkis | ||
Guarani | mbojoaju | ||
Ilocano | igalut | ||
Krio | tay | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | بەستنەوە | ||
Maithili | बाँधनाइ | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯄꯨꯟꯁꯤꯟꯕ | ||
Mizo | kaihkawp | ||
Oromo | walitti hidhuu | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ବାନ୍ଧ | | ||
Quechua | encuadernar | ||
Sanskrit | आ- नह् | ||
Tatar | бәйләү | ||
Tigrinya | ምእሳር | ||
Tsonga | boha | ||