Definitions

wān (verb) to bend; to curve
wān (noun) bend; curve; turn (in road)

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character 弯, with its traditional form 彎, uses the bottom radical 弓 (bow) to establish its semantic foundation related to arched shapes and tension. In the traditional version, the complex top element 䜌 provides the phonetic component, while the simplified form replaces it with 亦, streamlining the structure while preserving the phonetic identity. It means a curve or bend, and as a verb, describes the action of bending something into an arc, like drawing a bowstring. Its usage covers physical descriptions from winding roads and meandering rivers to curved objects, and denotes the act of stooping or altering straightness.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条小河的。

Zhè tiáo xiǎo hé wān wān de.

This small river is curvy.

前面有一个道。

Qiánmiàn yǒu yī gè wān dào.

There is a curve ahead.

山路曲曲的。

Shān lù wān wān qū qū de.

The mountain road is winding.

腰捡起铅笔。

Tā wān yāo jiǎn qǐ qiān bǐ.

He bent down to pick up the pencil.

司机小心地转

Sījī xiǎoxīn de zhuǎn wān.

The driver turns carefully.

月挂在夜空中。

Wān yuè guà zài yè kōng zhōng.

The crescent moon hangs in the night sky.

她有一头的长发。

Tā yǒu yī tóu wān wān de cháng fà.

She has long, wavy hair.

在人生的道路上,难免会有路。

Zài rénshēng de dàolù shàng, nánmiǎn huì yǒu wān lù.

On the path of life, it's inevitable to have detours.