detain

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 拘 has 8 strokes and the on-reading こう. 拘束 (こうそく) and 拘留 (こうりゅう) concern restrictions on freedom of movement.
• Basic usage: 拘束 can describe detaining someone or tying up their time; 拘留 means detention in custody.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Physical restraint and restricted time
  • 容疑者を拘束した means detained the suspect who had tried to flee. 長い会議に拘束されて figuratively describes being tied up in a long meeting and unable to use one's time freely.
  • 短期間の拘留を命じた means ordered a brief period of detention. 不当に拘留された記者 is the journalist who was unjustly detained and explained the events after release.