弯

• Pinyin: wān
• Hanzi breakdown: 弯 = simplified from 彎; depicts a bent bow (弓) with phonetic components

Meaning

Curved; bent; a bend or curve; to bend.

As an adjective, describes something that is not straight — a winding road, a crooked branch, a bent posture. As a verb, means to bend or curve something deliberately. 拐弯 (guǎi wān) means to turn a corner; 弯路 figuratively means taking a roundabout approach instead of the direct one.

Examples

1. 这条山路有很多弯，开车时一定要特别小心。 This mountain road has many bends — you must be especially careful when driving.
2. 老人的腰弯得厉害，走路时需要扶着拐杖。 The old person's back was badly bent and they needed to lean on a walking stick.
3. 河流在这里拐了一个大弯，形成了一片美丽的湿地。 The river makes a large bend here, forming a beautiful wetland area.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, travel

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 前面有个弯，慢点开。(There's a bend ahead — slow down.)
• 他弯下腰捡起了地上的钱包。(He bent down and picked up the wallet on the ground.)

Don't Say

• 弯 ≠ 曲 in all contexts — 弯 is a general term for curved/bent; 曲 (qū) often appears in music (曲子, melody) and more formal/literary contexts. Don't use them interchangeably.

Origin & History

The simplified character 弯 comes from 彎, which depicts a bent bow (弓 bow + phonetic components), reflecting curvature or something not straight.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal