Definitions

guǎi (verb) to turn (a corner)
guǎi (verb) to kidnap; to swindle
guǎi (noun) cane; walking stick; crutch

Etymology

To take another  by force 

About

The character 拐 is a phono-semantic compound, with the left-side radical 扌 (hand) indicating its meaning as an action performed by hand or arm, and the right-side component 另 providing its pronunciation. Its primary meaning originally referred to a walking stick or crutch used for physical support, which naturally extended to the action of limping or walking with a cane. Over time, the meaning broadened to include changing direction or turning a corner, as well as the more negative sense of abducting or swindling someone, likely derived from the idea of leading a person off their intended path.

Example Sentences Hide

请在角处左

Qǐng zài guǎi jiǎo chù zuǒ guǎi.

Please turn left at the corner.

老人需要杖走路。

Lǎorén xūyào guǎizhàng zǒulù.

The old man needs a crutch to walk.

孩子被坏人走了。

Háizi bèi huàirén guǎi zǒu le.

The child was kidnapped by a bad person.

进了小巷子里。

Tā guǎi jìnle xiǎo xiàngzi lǐ.

He turned into the alley.

警方破获了一起卖案件。

Jǐngfāng pòhuòle yīqǐ guǎimài ànjiàn.

The police cracked a kidnapping and trafficking case.

那个骗子试图骗老年人的钱财。

Nàge piànzi shìtú guǎipiàn lǎonián rén de qiáncái.

That swindler tried to cheat elderly people out of their money.

在复杂的路口,司机必须小心弯。

Zài fùzá de lùkǒu, sījī bìxū xiǎoxīn guǎi wān.

At complex intersections, drivers must turn carefully.

由于腿伤,他暂时依赖杖辅助行走。

Yóuyú tuǐ shāng, tā zànshí yīlài guǎizhàng fǔzhù xíngzǒu.

Due to a leg injury, he temporarily relies on a crutch for assistance in walking.