制约 (zhìyuē) — to constrain, to restrict

制约 (zhìyuē)

制约 refers to the limiting or constraining of something's development, action, or scope, especially through systemic, structural, or environmental factors.

Meanings

1. [verb] to constrain, to restrict, to check (especially through rules, systems, or conditions)
2. [noun] constraint, restriction, check

Example Sentences

资金不足是制约这家初创公司发展的主要因素。 Zījīn bùzú shì zhìyuē zhè jiā chūchuàng gōngsī fāzhǎn de zhǔyào yīnsù. Insufficient funding is the main factor constraining the development of this startup.

权力需要受到有效的制约，才能防止腐败的发生。 Quánlì xūyào shòudào yǒuxiào de zhìyuē, cái néng fángzhǐ fǔbài de fāshēng. Power needs to be effectively constrained in order to prevent corruption from occurring.

气候条件对农业生产具有很强的制约作用。 Qìhòu tiáojiàn duì nóngyè shēngchǎn jùyǒu hěn qiáng de zhìyuē zuòyòng. Climate conditions have a strong constraining effect on agricultural production.

民主制度通过权力制衡来制约政府的行为。 Mínzhǔ zhìdù tōngguò quánlì zhìhéng lái zhìyuē zhèngfǔ de xíngwéi. The democratic system constrains government behavior through checks and balances of power.

传统观念对年轻人择业的制约正在逐渐减弱。 Chuántǒng guānniàn duì niánqīng rén zéyè de zhìyuē zhèngzài zhújiàn jiǎnruò. The constraint of traditional ideas on young people's career choices is gradually weakening.

外部环境的制约迫使企业必须寻求内部创新来维持竞争力。 Wàibù huánjìng de zhìyuē pòshǐ qǐyè bìxū xúnqiú nèibù chuàngxīn lái wéichí jìngzhēng lì. External environmental constraints force companies to seek internal innovation to maintain competitiveness.

Collocations

Usage Notes

制约 implies a structural or systemic constraint that limits scope rather than a direct personal prohibition. It is often used in analysis to explain why something cannot develop further: 制约经济发展的因素 (factors constraining economic development). The phrase 相互制约 (mutual constraint) is central to political science discussions of checks and balances.

制约 is more analytical and formal than 限制 (xiànzhì, to limit/restrict), which can be used in everyday contexts. While 限制 simply means "to restrict," 制约 carries the additional sense of a systemic relationship where one factor holds another in check. 制衡 (zhìhéng) is a related term specifically for political checks and balances.

Memory Hook

制 means "to control/regulate" and 约 means "to bind/restrain" -- 制约 is being bound and controlled, like a dog on a leash: you can move, but only within the limits set by the system.