na-adjective, noun
crippled; deformed
Sensitive term for a physical disability or deformity; now often considered derogatory. Use with caution.
その言葉は差別的だとされ、今では「かたわ」とはあまり言わない。
That word is considered discriminatory, and nowadays people rarely say 'katawa'.
na-adjective, noun
Describes something that is lacking, incomplete, or not fully formed; can be used for objects, plans, or abstract things.
この計画はまだ片端で、実行には早すぎる。
This plan is still incomplete; it's too early to put it into action.
na-adjective, noun
one wheel
Only when written 片輪
Literal meaning: a single wheel. Restricted to the kanji spelling 片輪.
片輪の荷車ではバランスが取りにくい。
A one-wheeled cart is hard to balance.
The kanji 片 means 'one side' or 'fragment', and 端 means 'edge' or 'end', suggesting something that is only partial or one-sided. The reading かたわ is of uncertain origin, but the word has been used historically to refer to physical deformity and, by extension, incompleteness.