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March 24, 2026
枉wǎng(wang3)
The character 枉 (wǎng) conveys the idea of being twisted or bent, both literally and metaphorically. It often describes situations that are unjust, crooked, or done in vain, indicating a sense of futility or a lack of fairness. This character is commonly used in expressions related to injustice or when efforts yield no results.
Strokes8Radical木Frequency#20133DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of justice is deeply rooted in Confucian values, making terms like 枉 particularly poignant when discussing moral and ethical issues in society. The character often appears in discussions about societal fairness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bent tree branch (the radical 枝, meaning branch) that has been twisted unfairly (the character 枉). Picture a person trying to straighten it out in vain, which connects the pronunciation 'wǎng' to the idea of something being unjustly twisted.
Meanings of 枉
wǎng(wang3)
1to twist
2crooked
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 枉
枉Simplified
8Strokes
木Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#20133Frequency Rank
Podcast: 枉
Podcast: 枉
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AI Study Notes for 枉
Quick Contrast
冤 (yuān) - use 枉 (wǎng) for situations implying futility or being done in vain, while 冤 (yuān) emphasizes wrongful suffering or injustice.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bent tree branch (the radical 枝, meaning branch) that has been twisted unfairly (the character 枉). Picture a person trying to straighten it out in vain, which connects the pronunciation 'wǎng' to the idea of something being unjustly twisted.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 枉 with similar-sounding words. It is often used in formal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about morality and justice. Common collocations include 枉费 (wǎng fèi, meaning to waste effort) and 枉法 (wǎng fǎ, meaning to administer justice unjustly).
HSK Study Tips
Although not listed in HSK levels, it's beneficial to connect this character with others related to justice or morality, such as 公正 (gōng zhèng, meaning just) or 不公 (bù gōng, meaning unjust). Focus on recognizing its use in idiomatic expressions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of justice is deeply rooted in Confucian values, making terms like 枉 particularly poignant when discussing moral and ethical issues in society. The character often appears in discussions about societal fairness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 枉 with the character 亡 (wáng), which means 'to perish' or 'to disappear'. Ensure you remember that 枉 relates to twisting or injustice, while 亡 does not have those connotations.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 枉
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Grammar Patterns of 枉
枉 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
要是从来没看过歌剧，那就____过此生了。
If you have never been to an opera, you haven't lived.
Example Sentences for 枉 (4)
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1
要是从来没看过歌剧，那就枉过此生了。
yào shì cóng lái méi kàn guò gē jù， ， nà jiù wǎng guò cǐ shēng。
If you have never been to an opera, you haven't lived.
2
他受这么多苦，太冤枉了。
tā shòu zhè mó duō kǔ， ， tài yuān wǎng。
It was unfair that he should suffer so much.
3
过去数不清的冤假错案和枉法行为给人们带来了创伤。
guò qù shù bù qīng de yuān jiǎ cuò àn hé wǎng fǎ háng wéi gěi rén mén dài lái le chuàng shāng。
The past has been scarred by countless mistrials and perversions of justice.
4
苏小姐骂方鸿 渐 无耻,实在是冤枉.
sū xiǎo jiě mà fāng hóng jiàn, wú chǐ , shí zài.
Miss Su's condemnation of Fang Hung - chien for being shameless was actually unjust.
Cultural Notes for 枉
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of justice is deeply rooted in Confucian values, making terms like 枉 particularly poignant when discussing moral and ethical issues in society. The character often appears in discussions about societal fairness.
Word Family of 枉
Words Containing This Character12
冤枉yuānwangto accuse wrongly
枉wǎngto twist
枉法to circumvent the law
贪赃枉法corruption and abuse of the law (idiom); to take bribes and bend the law貪贓枉法
枉然in vain
矫枉过正to overcorrect (idiom)矯枉過正
枉费to try in vain枉費
冤枉路pointless trip
枉死to die in tragic circumstances
枉顾to neglect枉顧
徇情枉法to bend the law in order to favor one's relatives or associates (idiom)
矫枉过直to overcorrect (idiom)矯枉過直
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 冤枉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 枉
In everyday conversation, 枉 is often used to describe situations where efforts are wasted or when something is unfair.
No, 枉 generally carries negative connotations related to injustice or futility.
It is pronounced as 'wǎng', with a falling-rising tone.
