扭 (niǔ) — to twist, to wring; to sprain; to turn (e.g., a knob, handle)
Definition
A general verb for twisting, wringing, or turning a part of the body or an object (e.g., a knob). 比 拧 more focused on body parts and sprains; 扭曲 is abstract distortion, 扭转 is reversing a situation.
verb
to twistto wringto sprainto turn (e.g., a knob, handle)
Examples
- 扭。Tā bǎ máo jīn niǔ gān le.He wrung the towel dry.
- 扭，。Tā bù xiǎo xīn niǔ le jiǎo, bù néng zǒu lù le.She accidentally sprained her ankle and can't walk.
- ，。Tā niǔ dòng zhe shēn tǐ, gēn zhe yīn yuè tiào wǔ.She swayed her body and danced to the music.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
扭 has 手 (hand) beside 丑. The 手 part shows that the meaning involves a hand action, and 丑 gives the sound.
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