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Kotomora

弯

curve, stretching a bow

Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ワン

Kun'yomi

  • ひ.く

Meaning

弯 centers on a bending or curving shape, especially the act of drawing a bow. The idea of stretching a bow naturally involves a curve, so both meanings connect through the image of something pulled into an arc.

Most common words using 弯

  • 大弯だいわん

    greater curvature (of the stomach); curvatura ventriculi major

  • 小弯しょうわん

    lesser curvature (of the stomach); curvatura ventriculi minor

  • 弯入わんにゅう

    curved indentation (esp. in stomach)

  • 脊柱前弯症せきちゅうぜんわんしょう

    lordosis

  • 脊柱後弯症せきちゅうこうわんしょう

    kyphosis

Explore all words using 弯 →

Study

Etymology

弯 combines 亦 (a phonetic element with a sense of bending or curving) and 弓 (bow), together suggesting the curved shape of a drawn bow.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part 亦 looks like a bent shape, and the bottom 弓 is a bow. Picture pulling back a bowstring until the bow curves into a deep arc: 弯 is that curve.

Reading mnemonic

For ワン, imagine a one-of-a-kind curved bow: one -> ワン, and the bow bends into a perfect curve.