弯 (wān) — to bend; bent; (noun) a bend, a turn (in a road, path, etc.)
Definition
弯 is both a verb ('to bend') and an adjective ('bent, curved'). As a noun for a road's turn, it pairs with measure word 道. 弯曲 is the more common everyday adjective form.
adjective
to bendbent
noun
a benda turn (in a road, path, etc.)
Measure word · 道
Easily confused
Examples
- 弯。Qǐng bǎ zhè zhāng zhǐ wān yí xià.Please bend this piece of paper.
- 弯，。Zhè bǎ chǐ zi wān le, bù néng yòng le.This ruler is bent and can't be used.
- 弯。Zhè tiáo lù qián miàn yǒu yí gè jí wān.There is a sharp bend ahead on this road.
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.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 彎; 弯 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
䜌
䜌䜌彎wān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 彎 pairs 弓 (bow) with 䜌 as a sound part; the simplified 弯 is a later shorthand.
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