chain

a series of metal rings joined together, used for fastening things or as a decoration

cadena

Collocations gold chain · necklace chain

• She wore a gold chain around her neck.

  Ella llevaba una cadena de oro alrededor del cuello.

a metal bar or ring used to fasten a prisoner's leg, or the system of these bars and rings that prisoners wear on their legs

cadena de tobillos / grilletes

Collocations ankle chain · leg irons

• The prisoner was wearing ankle chains.

  El prisionero llevaba cadenas en los tobillos.

a system of rules or laws that control people's behaviour, especially in a negative way

cadena / sistema

Collocations iron chain · legal chain

• The country is under the iron chain of its dictator.

  El país está bajo el yugo del dictador.

to connect or fasten something with a chain

atar con cadena, unir con cadena

• chain sth to/onto sth

• He chained his bicycle to the railings.

  Él ató su bicicleta a las rejas.

to limit or restrict something, especially by rules or laws

limitar / restringir

• chain sth

• The government has chained the economy with high taxes.

  El gobierno ha limitado la economía con altos impuestos.