弓

• Pinyin: gōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 弓 = pictograph of a bow with a bowstring

Meaning

Bow (weapon). An arched weapon used to shoot arrows, or any arc-shaped object resembling it.

One of China's oldest weapons, central to ancient warfare, hunting, and ceremonial life. Also used as a unit of measurement in classical Chinese (1 弓 ≈ 5 feet). Appears in idioms and metaphors for tension and archery.

Examples

1. 古代将士皆需精通弓箭之术。 In ancient times, soldiers all needed to be skilled in archery.
2. 他弯弓搭箭，瞄准远处的靶心。 He drew the bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed at the bull’s-eye in the distance.
3. 那条小路弯曲如弓，蜿蜒穿过山谷。 That narrow path curves like a bow, winding through the valley.

Usage Guide

Context: history, martial arts, literature, idioms

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 开弓没有回头箭，既然决定了就要坚持到底。(A bow once drawn cannot pull back the arrow — once decided, see it through.)
• 他弯弓射雕，箭无虚发。(He drew his bow and shot at the eagle, hitting the mark every time.)

Don't Say

• 弓 for a modern bow (compound/recurve) without qualifier — specify 复合弓 or 反曲弓 in modern sports contexts

Origin & History

Pictograph of a bent bow — one of the earliest Chinese characters

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal