Definitions
(adjective)
bent; crooked
(noun)
tune; song; melody
(noun)
yeast; mold
Etymology
Pictograph of a bent object.
About
The character 曲 originated as a pictographic representation of a bent or curved shape, with its early form stylizing this concept into a rectangular frame containing internal lines that suggest enclosure or deviation from straightness. Its primary meaning of physical crookedness gradually extended into more abstract domains, such as denoting a musical tune or melody, a semantic shift metaphorically linking winding paths to the flow of music. Over time, the character also came to signify yeast or fermentation, possibly through an association with the transformative and bending processes involved in brewing, illustrating how its core concept of curvature expanded to cover both tangible and intangible applications.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他唱了一首歌曲。
山路弯曲难行。
这张图有一条曲线。
爷爷喜欢看戏曲。
这首曲调很优美。
不要扭曲事实真相。
你曲解了我的意思。
通过曲折的小径，我们找到了花园。