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曲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
曲QūbentHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲QūcrookedHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲QūwrongHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲QūtuneHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲QūsongHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲Qūcrooked, bent; wrong, falseHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲Qūsurname QuHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲qǔbentHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲qǔcrookedHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲qǔwrongHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲qǔtuneHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲qǔsongHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲qǔcrooked, bent; wrong, falseHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
曲qǔsurname QuHSK 6, q, 6 strokes, radical 曰, rank #2511, Hard
qǔ(qu3)qu
primary
 T3
  1. 1bent
  2. 2crooked
Also a Chinese surname, Qu — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

曲qǔ(qu3)

The character 曲 (qū) primarily means 'bent' or 'crooked,' and it can also refer to a 'tune' or 'song.' It is commonly used in contexts related to music as well as to describe something that is not straight or is incorrect in some way. The nuance of the word often implies a sense of deviation from the norm, whether in physical form or moral guidance.

Strokes6Radical曰Frequency#2511DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, music plays a significant role, and 曲 is commonly seen in musical terms and genres, such as traditional Chinese opera. The concept of something being 'crooked' or 'bent' can also relate to moral teachings, where a 'crooked' path implies wrongdoing.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'Q' that is bending or curling, like a crooked road. To remember 曲 (qū), think of a 'cue' for a performance, where the 'tune' or 'song' is often not straight but has bends and turns, just like the character’s shape.

Meanings of 曲

qǔ(qu3)
primary
1bent
2crooked
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 曲

曲Simplified
6Strokes
曰Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2511Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 曲

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Podcast: 曲

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AI study notes for 曲

Quick Contrast

曲 (qū) vs 歌 (gē) — use 曲 when referring to a tune or song with a focus on its melodic structure, while 歌 specifically refers to a song, particularly in a lyrical context.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 曲 with 直 (zhí), which means 'straight.' In informal contexts, 曲 might be used to describe something that is wrong or misleading, while in formal contexts it refers to music. Pay attention to using the correct tone since 曲 (qū) can sound similar to other characters.

HSK Study Tips

Although 曲 is not in the HSK list, it connects well with other words related to music and expressions of deviation. Focus on how 曲 is used in phrases like 曲子 (qǔzi - tune) and its variations in music-related contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 曲 (qū) with other characters like 曲 (qǔ) meaning 'to play music' or with 直 (zhí) meaning 'straight.' For instance, saying '曲的道路' (qū de dào lù) to mean 'straight road' is incorrect; the right phrase would be '直的道路' (zhí de dào lù).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 曲

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Etymology of 曲

Formation typePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a bent object.

Memory hint

A folded object 曰

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 曲?

Decomposition of 曲

IDS Structure⿻曰⿰丨丨
曲Full character
=
曰yue1
outer
丨gun3
left
丨gun3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 曲?

How to say bent in Chinese

“bent” in Chinese is曲Qū

The character 曲 (qū) primarily means 'bent' or 'crooked,' and it can also refer to a 'tune' or 'song.' It is commonly used in contexts related to music as well as to describe something that is not straight or is incorrect in some way. The nuance of the word often implies a sense of deviation from the norm, whether in physical form or moral guidance.

When to use 曲

Learners often confuse 曲 with 直 (zhí), which means 'straight.' In informal contexts, 曲 might be used to describe something that is wrong or misleading, while in formal contexts it refers to music. Pay attention to using the correct tone since 曲 (qū) can sound similar to other characters.

曲 or something close to it

曲 (qū) vs 歌 (gē) — use 曲 when referring to a tune or song with a focus on its melodic structure, while 歌 specifically refers to a song, particularly in a lyrical context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 曲 (qū) with other characters like 曲 (qǔ) meaning 'to play music' or with 直 (zhí) meaning 'straight.' For instance, saying '曲的道路' (qū de dào lù) to mean 'straight road' is incorrect; the right phrase would be '直的道路' (zhí de dào lù).

Write 曲

曲

Practice writing 曲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 曲

曲 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 7 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

流行歌____历来是社会文化不可缺少的一部分。

Pop songs have always been an indispensable part of social culture.

Example sentences for 曲 (28)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我努力保持蜷曲的姿势以免四肢受伤。

wǒ nǔlì bǎochí quán qǔ de zīshì yǐmiǎn sìzhī shòushāng。

I tried to adopt a curled-up position to avoid damaging my limbs.
2
你可以跟着一起唱你最喜爱的“猫王”的热门歌曲。

nǐ kěyǐ gēn zhe yìqǐ chàng nǐ zuì xǐ’ài de“ māo wáng” de rèmén gēqǔ。

You can sing along to your favourite Elvis hits.
3
她的行动和思想变得扭曲了，她的态度也是。

tā de xíngdòng hé sīxiǎng biàn de niǔqū le， tā de tàidù yě shì。

Her actions and thoughts became distorted. So did her behavior.
4
约翰尼和盖伊是英国最了不起的、还未被公众认可的流行歌曲创作者。

yāo hàn ní hé gài yī shì Yīng guó zuì liǎobuqǐ de、 hái wèi bèi gōngzhòng rènkě de liúxíng gēqǔ chuàngzuò zhě。

Johnny and Guy are the greatest unacknowledged pop songwriters in Britain.
5
演奏钢琴的戴夫将这支曲子反复弹了两三遍。

yǎnzòu gāngqín de dài fū jiāng zhè zhī qǔzi fǎnfù dàn le liǎng sān biàn。

Dave, the pianist, played it over a couple of times.
6
这是否是原本良好的增长曲线中暂时的偏离？

zhè shìfǒu shì yuánběn liánghǎo de zēngzhǎng qūxiàn zhōng zànshí de piānlí？

Was it just a temporary blip on an otherwise healthy growth curve?
7
爱乐乐团精彩演绎了这首高难度乐曲。

ài lè lè tuán jīngcǎi yǎnyì le zhè shǒu gāo nándù yuèqǔ。

The Philharmonia played this staggeringly difficult music superlatively well.
8
这套盒装专辑收录了64首最好听的当代爱情歌曲。

zhè tào hé zhuāng zhuānjí shōu lù le64 shǒu zuìhǎo tīng de dāngdài àiqíng gēqǔ。

This boxed collection captures 64 of the greatest modern love songs.
9
看看这份失实的警方报告吧，它忽略或歪曲了关键的事实。

kàn kàn zhè fèn shī shí de jǐng fāng bàogào ba， tā hūlüè huò wāiqū le guānjiàn de shìshí。

Look at the false police reports that omitted or misstated crucial facts.
10
这个人的整个人格似乎被永远地扭曲了。

zhège rén de zhěnggè réngé sìhū bèi yǒngyuǎn dì niǔqū le。

The individual's whole personality appears to be permanently warped.
11
曲先生是我们公司的总经理，他对市场有独到的见解。

Qǔ xiānshēng shì wǒmen gōngsī de zǒng jīnglǐ, tā duì shìchǎng yǒu dútào de jiànjiě.

Mr. Qu is the general manager of our company; he has unique insights into the market.
12
曲小姐在国际会议上发表了关于环境保护的重要演讲。

Qǔ xiǎojiě zài guójì huìyì shàng fābiǎole guānyú huánjìng bǎohù de zhòngyào yǎnjiǎng.

Miss Qu delivered an important speech on environmental protection at the international conference.
13
曲教授在大学教中国历史，他的研究影响深远。

Qǔ jiàoshòu zài dàxué jiāo Zhōngguó lìshǐ, tā de yánjiū yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

Professor Qu teaches Chinese history at the university, and his research has a profound impact.
14
曲医生以其高超的医术闻名于世，他的患者来自世界各地。

Qǔ yīshēng yǐ qí gāochāo de yīshù wénmíng yú shì, tā de huànzhě láizì shìjiè gèdì.

Doctor Qu is famous worldwide for his superb medical skills, and his patients come from all over the world.
15
曲家的家族企业已有百年历史，主要从事茶叶贸易。

Qǔ jiā de jiāzú qǐyè yǐ yǒu bǎinián lìshǐ, zhǔyào cóngshì cháyè màoyì.

The Qu family's business has a century-long history and mainly engages in the tea trade.
16
曲太太在当地社区非常活跃，经常组织慈善活动。

Qǔ tàitai zài dāngdì shèqū fēicháng huóyuè, jīngcháng zǔzhī císhàn huódòng.

Mrs. Qu is very active in the local community and often organizes charity events.
17
曲先生是我们公司的总经理，他对市场有独到的见解。

Qǔ xiānshēng shì wǒmen gōngsī de zǒng jīnglǐ, tā duì shìchǎng yǒu dútào de jiànjiě.

Mr. Qu is the general manager of our company; he has unique insights into the market.
18
曲小姐在国际会议上发表了关于环境保护的重要演讲。

Qǔ xiǎojiě zài guójì huìyì shàng fābiǎole guānyú huánjìng bǎohù de zhòngyào yǎnjiǎng.

Miss Qu delivered an important speech on environmental protection at the international conference.
19
曲教授在大学教中国历史，他的研究影响深远。

Qǔ jiàoshòu zài dàxué jiāo Zhōngguó lìshǐ, tā de yánjiū yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

Professor Qu teaches Chinese history at the university, and his research has a profound impact.
20
曲医生以其高超的医术闻名于世，他的患者来自世界各地。

Qǔ yīshēng yǐ qí gāochāo de yīshù wénmíng yú shì, tā de huànzhě láizì shìjiè gèdì.

Doctor Qu is famous worldwide for his superb medical skills, and his patients come from all over the world.
21
曲家的家族企业已有百年历史，主要从事茶叶贸易。

Qǔ jiā de jiāzú qǐyè yǐ yǒu bǎinián lìshǐ, zhǔyào cóngshì cháyè màoyì.

The Qu family's business has a century-long history and mainly engages in the tea trade.
22
曲太太在当地社区非常活跃，经常组织慈善活动。

Qǔ tàitai zài dāngdì shèqū fēicháng huóyuè, jīngcháng zǔzhī císhàn huódòng.

Mrs. Qu is very active in the local community and often organizes charity events.
23
曲先生是我们公司的总经理，他对市场有独到的见解。

Qǔ xiānshēng shì wǒmen gōngsī de zǒng jīnglǐ, tā duì shìchǎng yǒu dútào de jiànjiě.

Mr. Qu is the general manager of our company; he has unique insights into the market.
24
曲小姐在国际会议上发表了关于环境保护的重要演讲。

Qǔ xiǎojiě zài guójì huìyì shàng fābiǎole guānyú huánjìng bǎohù de zhòngyào yǎnjiǎng.

Miss Qu delivered an important speech on environmental protection at the international conference.
25
曲教授在大学教中国历史，他的研究影响深远。

Qǔ jiàoshòu zài dàxué jiāo Zhōngguó lìshǐ, tā de yánjiū yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

Professor Qu teaches Chinese history at the university, and his research has a profound impact.
26
曲医生以其高超的医术闻名于世，他的患者来自世界各地。

Qǔ yīshēng yǐ qí gāochāo de yīshù wénmíng yú shì, tā de huànzhě láizì shìjiè gèdì.

Doctor Qu is famous worldwide for his superb medical skills, and his patients come from all over the world.
27
曲家的家族企业已有百年历史，主要从事茶叶贸易。

Qǔ jiā de jiāzú qǐyè yǐ yǒu bǎinián lìshǐ, zhǔyào cóngshì cháyè màoyì.

The Qu family's business has a century-long history and mainly engages in the tea trade.
28
曲太太在当地社区非常活跃，经常组织慈善活动。

Qǔ tàitai zài dāngdì shèqū fēicháng huóyuè, jīngcháng zǔzhī císhàn huódòng.

Mrs. Qu is very active in the local community and often organizes charity events.

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Word Family of 曲

Compounds9
曹cáoministers, officials; a company; surname
蛐qūcricket; worm
粬qū
豊fēngabundant, lush, bountiful, plenty
麯qūyeast, leaven
浀qū
筁qū
農nóngagriculture, farming; farmer
髷qū
Words containing this character20
歌曲gēqǔsong
曲qǔbent
曲线qūxiàncurve曲線
扭曲niǔqūto twist
曲子qǔzitune
弯曲wānqūto bend彎曲
曲棍球qūgùnqiúfield hockey
曲折qūzhéwinding
曲目qǔmùrepertoire
插曲chāqǔincidental music
作曲家zuòqǔjiācomposer
作曲zuòqǔto compose (music)
歪曲wāiqūto distort
戏曲xìqǔChinese opera戲曲
舞曲wǔqǔdance music
乐曲yuèqǔmusical composition樂曲
曲解qūjiěto misrepresent
曲调qǔdiàotune曲調
三部曲sānbùqǔtrilogy
名曲míngqǔfamous song
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 曲

What does 曹 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 曲

Yes, 曲 (Qū) is a relatively common surname in China. It is one of the many Chinese surnames and is sometimes associated with certain regions or family lineages.

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