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March 24, 2026
彎wān(wan1)
The character 彎 (wān) means to bend, curve, or turn. It is commonly used to describe physical shapes, such as a winding road or a curved object, and can also be used metaphorically to refer to bending rules or expectations.
Strokes22Radical弓Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of bending or turning can relate to the philosophy of flexibility and adaptability, often seen in discussions about personal growth and relationships. The idea of being 'bent but not broken' reflects a valued quality in overcoming challenges.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named Wan (wān) who is trying to fit into a curvy path. The character 彎 looks like a road that bends, symbolizing the action of turning or curving. Visualize Wan happily navigating the twists and turns of the road.
Meanings of 彎
wān(wan1)
1bend, curve, turn
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 彎
彎Simplified
22Strokes
弓Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 彎
Podcast: 彎
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AI Study Notes for 彎
Quick Contrast
弯 (wān) vs 拐 (guǎi) — use 彎 for a smooth curve, while 拐 indicates a sharp turn.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person named Wan (wān) who is trying to fit into a curvy path. The character 彎 looks like a road that bends, symbolizing the action of turning or curving. Visualize Wan happily navigating the twists and turns of the road.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 彎 with 直 (zhí), which means straight. 彎 is more common in informal contexts, but can be used in formal writing when discussing geometry or design. Remember to pronounce it with a rising tone to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 彎 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with other HSK Level 3 words related to movement and direction, such as 转 (zhuǎn, turn) and 走 (zǒu, walk). Focus on using it in sentences describing paths or shapes to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of bending or turning can relate to the philosophy of flexibility and adaptability, often seen in discussions about personal growth and relationships. The idea of being 'bent but not broken' reflects a valued quality in overcoming challenges.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 彎 with 轉 (zhuǎn), which means to turn rather than to bend. For example, saying '这条路转得很漂亮' (Zhè tiáo lù zhuǎn de hěn piàoliang) is incorrect if you intend to describe a curve; it should be '这条路弯得很漂亮'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 彎
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Cultural Notes for 彎
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of bending or turning can relate to the philosophy of flexibility and adaptability, often seen in discussions about personal growth and relationships. The idea of being 'bent but not broken' reflects a valued quality in overcoming challenges.
Word Family of 彎
Words Containing This Character20
弯wānbent彎
转弯zhuǎnwānto turn轉彎
弯曲wānqūto bend彎曲
弯腰to stoop彎腰
拐弯guǎiwānto go round a curve拐彎
拐弯抹角to equivocate拐彎抹角
急转弯jízhuǎnwānto make a sudden turn急轉彎
弯路winding road彎路
臂弯crook of the arm臂彎
弯弯Wan Wan (1981-), Taiwanese blogger and cartoonist彎彎
弯道winding road彎道
走弯路zǒuwānlùto take an indirect route走彎路
遛弯to go for a stroll遛彎
弯弯曲曲curved彎彎曲曲
绕弯子lit. to go on a long detour繞彎子
弯子bend彎子
转弯抹角to equivocate轉彎抹角
遛弯儿to go for a stroll遛彎兒
绕弯to go for a walk around繞彎
曲里拐弯winding and turning (idiom)曲裡拐彎
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 弯 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 彎
You can say, '这条路弯得很漂亮' (Zhè tiáo lù wān de hěn piàoliang), meaning 'This road is very beautifully curved.'
Yes, 彎 can be used in formal contexts, especially in technical descriptions of shapes or paths, but it is more frequently used in everyday conversations.
The opposite of 彎 is 直 (zhí), which means straight.
