Translation guide
Describes something that bends or has a rounded shape, not straight. Japanese uses different words depending on what is curved and how.
Describing a line, surface, or object that is not straight but has a smooth bend.
The most common and versatile word for 'curved'. It can describe roads, lines, objects, etc. It is the past tense of 曲がる (to bend), used as an adjective.
この道は曲がっている。
This road is curved.
Please draw a curved line.
More formal or technical term for 'curved', often used for gentle, sweeping curves like a bay or a blade.
湾曲した海岸線が美しい。
The curved coastline is beautiful.
Loanword from English 'curve', often used for roads, sports, or fashion. Casual.
カーブした道を進む。
Go along the curved road.
Describing something that curves in a shape like a bow or crescent.
Literally 'bow-shaped', used for things that curve like a bow, such as a coastline or a person's back.
弓なりになった海岸。
A coast curved like a bow.
Means 'to draw an arc', used for describing a curved trajectory or shape.
ボールが弧を描いて飛んだ。
The ball flew in a curved arc.
Describing a surface that is curved like the inside or outside of a bowl.
Describing something that curves repeatedly or meanders.
Describes something that is winding or twisting, like a mountain road or a river.
曲がりくねった山道。
A winding mountain path.
Literally 'snake-like movement', used for rivers or roads that meander. Slightly formal.
蛇行した川。
A meandering river.
曲がった is the everyday word for 'curved'. 湾曲した is more formal and often used for elegant or large-scale curves. カーブした is a casual loanword common in sports and driving contexts.
曲がった can also mean 'bent' in the sense of deformed. If something is intentionally curved, it's fine, but if it's accidentally bent, 曲がった might imply damage. For 'bent out of shape', use 歪んだ (ゆがんだ).