gebunden
bound
Physically fastened or tied together with a rope, string, or something similar.
EXAMPLE
Der Blumenstrauß war mit einem schönen Band gebunden.
The bouquet was bound with a beautiful ribbon.
gebunden
bound
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Meanings
gebunden sein an
bound to
Obligated to stick to an agreement, a contract, a promise, or a person. You are not free in your decision.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin an den Vertrag gebunden und kann nicht einfach kündigen.
I am bound to the contract and can’t simply cancel it.
gebunden
hardcover
Describes a book with a hard cover, as opposed to a paperback.
EXAMPLE
Ich kaufe lieber die gebundene Ausgabe, weil sie haltbarer ist.
I prefer to buy the hardcover edition because it is more durable.
gebunden
thickened
Used in cooking to describe a liquid such as a sauce or soup that has been thickened by adding starch, flour, or egg yolk.
EXAMPLE
Die Soße wird zum Schluss mit etwas Speisestärke gebunden.
At the end, the sauce is thickened with a little cornstarch.
gebunden
bonded
In chemistry, the state in which atoms or molecules are connected to each other by a chemical bond.
EXAMPLE
In Wasser ist der Sauerstoff an zwei Wasserstoffatome gebunden.
In water, oxygen is bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
gebunden
tied up
Refers to capital that is invested in assets and cannot be made liquid in the short term.
EXAMPLE
Ein großer Teil seines Vermögens ist in Immobilien gebunden.
A large part of his wealth is tied up in real estate.
Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Gebunden' (bound) is the past participle of the verb 'binden' (to bind/tie). All meanings of the adjective derive from the basic idea that something is fastened, connected, or limited in its freedom.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die alten Zeitungen zu einem Paket gebunden.
He tied the old newspapers into a bundle.
Fixed preposition
When 'gebunden' (bound) expresses an obligation, it is always used with the preposition 'an' and the accusative. The structure is: 'an etwas gebunden sein' (to be bound to something).
EXAMPLE
Als Mitarbeiter sind wir an die Regeln des Unternehmens gebunden.
As employees, we are bound to the company’s rules.
Chemistry context clue
In a chemical context, the preposition 'an' is also used. The difference from obligation is made clear by the nouns: here, atoms or molecules are 'an' (to) other atoms bonded.
EXAMPLE
Im Wassermolekül (H₂O) ist ein Sauerstoffatom an zwei Wasserstoffatome gebunden.
In the water molecule (H₂O), one oxygen atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
Typical collocation
In connection with books, 'gebundene Ausgabe' (hardcover edition) is a fixed term for a book with a hard cover. It is the opposite of 'broschierte Ausgabe' (paperback edition).
EXAMPLE
Viele Sammler bevorzugen die gebundene Erstausgabe eines Romans.
Many collectors prefer the hardcover first edition of a novel.
Cooking context clue
When 'gebunden' (thickened) is used in cooking, it means that a liquid such as a soup or sauce has been made thicker. The verb for this is 'binden' (to thicken).
EXAMPLE
Für eine cremig gebundene Suppe kann man etwas Sahne oder Mehl verwenden.
For a creamy, thickened soup, you can use a little cream or flour.
Finance context clue
In finance, 'gebunden' (tied up) means that money is not immediately available. Here, the preposition 'in' is often used: capital is 'in' (in) an investment tied up.
EXAMPLE
Sein Geld ist langfristig in Aktien gebunden.
His money is tied up in stocks for the long term.
Compare with
gebunden vs schuldig
guilty / owing
Schuldig and gebunden can both express an existing obligation. Schuldig is used especially in fixed phrases such as „jemandem Dank oder eine Erklärung schuldig sein“, while gebunden emphasizes being generally bound by a promise or agreement. Use schuldig for the specific thing owed, and gebunden for the binding rule.
gebunden
Nach unserem Versprechen bin ich an diese Vereinbarung gebunden.
Because of our promise, I am bound by this agreement.
schuldig
Nach seiner Hilfe bin ich ihm eine Erklärung schuldig.
After his help, I owe him an explanation.
In real life
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