弓 (gōng) - bow (archery) & anything curved or arched like a bow

弓Tone 1

gōng ｜ 3 strokes ｜ radical: 弓

枫惠

弓 · gōng

bow (archery);

anything curved or arched like a bow;

a unit of length (about 5 feet);

to bend;

to arch.

bow (archery)anything curved or arched like a bowa unit of length (about 5 feet)

Usage highlights

bow and arrowarcherybow shapebowstringdraw a bowbent like a bow

Synonyms

  • 弯— bent; curved (describing shape)
  • 弧— arc (geometric term)

Antonyms

  • 直— straight
  • 矢— arrow (complementary object)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He practices archery with a bow (弓).
  • The bridge has an arched shape like a bow (弓形).
  • In ancient times, a 'gong' was a unit of measurement (一弓).

Collocations

  • bow and arrow(弓箭)
  • archery(射弓)
  • bow shape(弓形)
  • bowstring(弓弦)
  • draw a bow(拉弓)
  • bent like a bow(如弓)

Idioms

  • Draw the bow without shooting(引而不发)
  • A strong bow at its end(强弩之末)
  • Birds are gone, bow is stored(鸟尽弓藏)
  • Cup bow snake shadow(杯弓蛇影)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the earliest tools and weapons in Chinese history, symbolizing military strength and hunting.
  • As a unit of length, it was historically used in land measurement and architecture.
  • The character itself is a pictograph of a strung bow.

FAQ