紆 (yū) - To bend & to curve

紆Tone 1

yū ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

咏与

紆 · yū

To bend;

to curve;

to twist;

winding;

meandering;

also refers to feeling constrained or depressed.

To bendto curveto twist

Usage highlights

Winding pathPedantic thinkingRoundabout routeImpractical theoryCircuitous tacticsDetour

Synonyms

  • 曲— bent, curved
  • 弯— bent, curved
  • 绕— to wind, to detour

Antonyms

  • 直— straight, direct
  • 畅— smooth, unimpeded

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mountain path winds through the valley (山路迂回).
  • He felt constrained by the rigid rules (他感到规则迂腐).
  • The river makes a bend here (河流在此迂曲).
  • Her thinking is too roundabout (她的想法太迂阔).

Collocations

  • Winding path(迂回)
  • Pedantic thinking(迂腐)
  • Roundabout route(迂曲)
  • Impractical theory(迂论)
  • Circuitous tactics(迂战术)
  • Detour(迂路)

Idioms

  • Be pedantic and stubborn(迂腐不化)
  • Take a roundabout route(迂回曲折)
  • Hold impractical theories(迂阔之论)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted winding silk threads, extended to mean winding paths or circuitous thinking.
  • In Confucian context, sometimes used negatively to describe impractical or overly theoretical approaches.
  • Associated with traditional scholars who might be seen as detached from practical affairs.

FAQ