godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
General physical sense: tying something with string, rope, or similar to secure or bundle it together.
新聞紙をひもでくくって捨てる。
I tie up the newspapers with string and throw them away.
髪を後ろでくくっている。
She has her hair tied back.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 首をくくる (to hang oneself). Also written as 縊る in this sense.
See also: 首を括る
彼は首をくくって死んだ。
He hanged himself and died.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
summarize; consolidate; put together
Figurative use: bringing ideas, points, or items together into a summary or unified whole.
話をくくると、要するに反対だということだ。
To summarize the story, basically he is against it.
意見を一つにくくって報告する。
I consolidate the opinions into one and report.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Used in the set phrase 高をくくる (to make light of, to underestimate) and similar expressions.
See also: 高を括る
相手の実力を高をくくっていた。
I underestimated the opponent's ability.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Specialized craft term; refers to the resist-dyeing technique where fabric is tied before dyeing.
See also: 括り染め
布をくくって染める技法を絞り染めという。
The technique of tie-dyeing fabric is called shibori-zome.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Archaic sense; not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
古文書では、人をくくると書いて拘束する意味で使われた。
In old documents, くくる was used to mean detaining or restraining someone.