扭

• Pinyin: niǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 扭 = 扌(hand) + 丑 (phonetic). Twisting motion.

Meaning

To twist; to turn; to sprain; to wiggle.

Physical twisting or turning motion. Common uses: 扭伤 (sprain), 扭头 (turn one's head), 扭腰 (twist waist/sway hips), 扭转 (reverse/turn around a situation). Can describe body movements in dance or injury contexts.

Examples

1. 他下楼梯时不小心扭伤了脚踝。 He accidentally sprained his ankle while going down the stairs.
2. 她听到声音，扭头看了一眼。 She heard a sound and turned her head to look.
3. 广场上的大妈们扭着腰跳广场舞，特别有活力。 The aunties in the square were swaying their hips doing square dancing — so energetic.

Usage Guide

Context: injury, movement, dance

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我扭伤脚了。(I sprained my ankle.)
• 别扭来扭去的。(Stop fidgeting.)

Don't Say

• 把扭和转混淆 (扭 implies forceful twisting; 转 is general turning)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic with 手 (hand) and 丑 phonetic. Twisting action done with hands or body.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal