しなう

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

bend; warp; yield

Describes something bending under pressure or weight without breaking, often with a sense of resilience. Can be used for physical objects like branches or for abstract yielding.

• 強つよい風かぜで木きの枝えだがしなった。

  The tree branch bent in the strong wind.

• 彼かれは相あい手ての意い見けんにしなって、自じ分ぶんの主しゅ張ちょうを引ひっ込こめた。

  He yielded to the other person's opinion and withdrew his own argument.

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

be supple; be flexible; be pliant

Describes an inherent quality of being supple and flexible, like bamboo or a limber body. Related to the adjective しなやか.

See also: しなやか

• 竹たけはしなうから、折おれにくい。

  Bamboo is supple, so it doesn't break easily.

• 体たい操そう選せん手しゅの体からだはよくしなう。

  A gymnast's body is very flexible.