枉 (wǎng) - to bend & crooked

枉Tone 3

wǎng ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 木

万响

枉 · wǎng

to bend;

crooked;

unjust;

in vain;

to wrong;

to twist

to bendcrookedunjust

Usage highlights

wrongly accusedbend the lawin vainwaste effortcrooked woodwrong someone

Synonyms

  • 冤— wrong; injustice
  • 曲— bent; crooked
  • 屈— wrong; injustice

Antonyms

  • 直— straight; upright
  • 正— correct; upright
  • 公— fair; just

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was wrongly accused (冤枉).
  • Don't make a wasted trip (枉跑一趟).
  • The judge perverted justice (枉法).
  • It's a pity to waste your talent (枉费才华).

Collocations

  • wrongly accused(冤枉)
  • bend the law(枉法)
  • in vain(枉然)
  • waste effort(枉费)
  • crooked wood(枉木)
  • wrong someone(枉屈)

Idioms

  • Bend the law for personal gain(徇私枉法)
  • Wrong the innocent(枉杀无辜)
  • Go on a fool's errand(枉道事人)
  • Waste one's efforts in vain(枉费心机)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to bent or crooked wood, later extended metaphorically to unjust treatment.
  • In legal contexts, describes perversion of justice or wrongful conviction.
  • Used in philosophical contexts about acting against moral principles.

FAQ