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.
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.
The curved coastline is beautiful.
Loanword from English 'curve', often used for roads, sports, or fashion. Casual.
Go along the curved road.
Describing something that curves in a shape like a bow or crescent.
Describing a surface that is curved like the inside or outside of a bowl.
Describing something that curves repeatedly or meanders.
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).