About
枉 is a phono-semantic compound: 木 on the left gives the meaning (related to trees or timber), and 王 on the right gives the sound. The wood radical indicates the original sense of a piece of wood or a tree branch that is bent or crooked, rather than growing straight. This physical crookedness extends metaphorically to injustice, wrongful treatment, or a perversion of the law where someone is falsely accused or mistreated. It also serves as an adverb meaning 'in vain' or 'futilely', describing efforts that yield no useful result, much like a piece of unusable crooked timber.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
你别冤枉好人。
这样做是枉然的。
他枉费了很多时间。
你的努力不会枉费。
他被人冤枉了很长时间。
你不要枉自猜测别人的想法。
如果计划不周，所有准备都是枉然。
尽管他极力辩解，但最终还是枉费心机。
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