橈 (ráo) - Bend, twist & oar, paddle

橈Tone 2

ráo ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

橈 · ráo

Bend, twist;

oar, paddle;

to yield, submit;

to disturb, harass.

Bend, twistoar, paddleto yield, submit

Usage highlights

Bent branchWooden oarTo yield and submitTo disturb and harassRadius boneRadius and ulna

Synonyms

  • 弯— to bend, curve
  • 曲— bent, crooked
  • 桨— oar, paddle

Antonyms

  • 直— straight, upright
  • 刚— firm, rigid

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The strong wind bent the branches (强风使树枝桡曲).
  • He rowed the boat with a single oar (他用一支桡划船).
  • The material should not yield under pressure (材料在压力下不应桡屈).

Collocations

  • Bent branch(桡曲)
  • Wooden oar(木桡)
  • To yield and submit(桡屈)
  • To disturb and harass(桡乱)
  • Radius bone(桡骨)
  • Radius and ulna(桡尺骨)

Idioms

  • Tenacious and unyielding(守正不桡)
  • Bent by power, unbent by poverty(富贵不桡，贫贱不移)
  • The strong do not bend(刚而不桡)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, 桡骨 refers to the radius bone in the forearm.
  • The character embodies the Confucian virtue of moral integrity - being unbending in principle.
  • Historically used in nautical contexts for oars and paddles in boat navigation.

FAQ