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Kotomora

撓

bend, train, lithe

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • トウ
  • キョウ
  • コウ
  • ジョウ

Kun'yomi

  • たわ.む
  • しな.う
  • しお.る
  • たわ.める
  • みだ.す
  • みだ.れる

Meaning

撓 centers on bending or flexing something, whether physically bending an object, training or disciplining someone (as in bending their will), or being lithe and flexible.

Most common words using 撓

  • 撓みたわみ

    bend; curvature; deflection

  • 撓しおり

    interpenetration of spirit between the poet and nature in a haiku

  • 不撓ふとう

    unbending; inflexible; tenacity; indomitableness

  • 撓りしなり

    bending; warping; flexibility; pliability

  • 撓るしなる

    to bend; to warp; to yield

  • 不屈不撓ふくつふとう

    indefatigability; indomitableness; with unremitting tenacity

  • 不撓不屈ふとうふくつ

    tenacity; indomitableness; dauntlessness; inflexibility

  • 可撓かとう

    flexible

  • 屈撓くっとう

    bending

  • 撓うしなう

    to bend; to warp; to yield

  • 撓み角法たわみかくほう

    slope deflection method

  • 撓むたわむ

    to bend; to warp

  • 撓めるいためる

    to treat leather, sharkskin, etc. with glue and pound until hard

  • 撓めるためる

    to bend; to train (e.g. a branch)

  • 撓めるたわめる

    to bend (a piece of wood, etc.); to bow

  • 撓やかたわやか

    flexible; pliant; pliable; supple; bendy

  • 撓曲とうきょく

    flexure

  • 撓角法とうかくほう

    slope deflection method

  • 百折不撓ひゃくせつふとう

    indefatigability; indomitableness

  • 防撓材ぼうとうざい

    stiffener

Explore all words using 撓 →

Study

Etymology

撓 combines 扌 (hand) with 堯, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of bending or flexing. The exact historical development of 堯 in this context is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The hand radical 扌 beside 堯 suggests using your hands to bend something, like a trainer bending a flexible branch to shape it.

Reading mnemonic

For トウ, imagine bending a tough metal rod with your hands: tough -> トウ, and the rod bends under pressure.