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March 24, 2026
屈Qū(Qu1)
The character 屈 (qū) primarily means 'to bend' or 'to flex', often used in contexts involving physical curvature or emotional states. It can imply feelings of wronged or injustice, reflecting both a physical and metaphorical sense of being 'bent' or 'twisted' in a way that is not right.
Strokes8Radical尸Frequency#9787DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the concept of feeling wronged is often depicted in poetry and stories, where characters might experience 屈辱 (qūrǔ - humiliation) due to bending to societal pressures or injustices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named Qu (surname) bending down to pick something up, feeling wronged that they have to crouch. The shape of the character 屈 resembles a person bending over, which helps connect the pronunciation 'qū' to the action of bending.
Meanings of 屈
Qū(Qu1)
1bent
2to feel wronged
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 屈
屈Simplified
8Strokes
尸Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#9787Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 屈
Podcast: 屈
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AI Study Notes for 屈
Quick Contrast
屈 (qū) vs 弯 (wān) — use 屈 for emotional or metaphorical bending, while 弯 refers specifically to physical curvature.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person named Qu (surname) bending down to pick something up, feeling wronged that they have to crouch. The shape of the character 屈 resembles a person bending over, which helps connect the pronunciation 'qū' to the action of bending.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 屈 with its similar-sounding word 曲 (qū), which means 'curve' or 'tune'. Use 屈 in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing feelings of injustice or physical bending. Remember to use the third tone appropriately when pronouncing it.
HSK Study Tips
Although 屈 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is related to other words describing physical actions and emotions, such as 直 (zhí - straight) and 曲 (qū - curve). Focus on understanding the dual meanings of the character, both physical and emotional.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the concept of feeling wronged is often depicted in poetry and stories, where characters might experience 屈辱 (qūrǔ - humiliation) due to bending to societal pressures or injustices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 屈 with 曲 (qū), leading to incorrect usage in contexts about bending or feeling wronged. For example, saying '我觉得很曲' (wǒ juédé hěn qǔ) instead of '我觉得很屈' (wǒ juédé hěn qū) when expressing feeling wronged.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 屈
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Grammar Patterns of 屈
屈 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
huán bù dào liǎng gè xiǎo shí， ， kē ēn jiù qū fú， le ， jiē shòu le jī hū yī qiē。
In less than two hours Cohen capitulated to virtually every demand.
5
她行了个屈膝礼。
tā háng le gè qū xī lǐ。
She gave a curtsy.
6
我们认为试图迫使他们屈服会适得其反。
wǒ mén rèn wéi shì tú pò shǐ tā mén qū fú huì shì dé qí fǎn。
We think an attempt to bully them into submission would be counterproductive.
7
面对要求其隐退的压力越来越大，她会屈服吗？
miàn duì yào qiú qí yǐn tuì de yā lì yuè lái yuè dà， ， tā huì qū fú？
Will she yield to growing pressure for her to retire?
8
我对谁都不会卑躬屈膝。
wǒ duì shuí dū bù huì bēi gōng qū xī。
I don't grovel to anybody.
9
谁也不能使我屈从他的意志.
shuí yě bù néng shǐ wǒ qū cóng tā de yì zhì.
Nobody could bend me to his will.
10
她双脚宽分站稳，膝盖微屈。
tā shuāng jiǎo kuān fēn zhàn wěn， ， xī gài wēi。
She planted her feet wide and bent her knees slightly.
Cultural Notes for 屈
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, the concept of feeling wronged is often depicted in poetry and stories, where characters might experience 屈辱 (qūrǔ - humiliation) due to bending to societal pressures or injustices.
Word Family of 屈
Compounds12
掘jue2to dig
窟ku1hole, cave; cellar; underground
倔jue2crabby
崛jue2towering; eminent; a sudden rise
堀ku1cave, hole
啒
崫
淈
煀
誳
镼
鶌
Words Containing This Character20
委屈wěiquto feel wronged
屈服qūfúto surrender
屈Qūbent
不屈unyielding
屈辱to humiliate
屈从to capitulate屈從
不屈不挠unyielding不屈不撓
屈指可数very few屈指可數
屈原Qu Yuan (340-278 BC), famous Warring States statesman and poet, author of Sorrow at Parting 離騷|离骚 Lisao in Songs of Chu 楚辭|楚辞
首屈一指outstanding
憋屈sullen
冤屈injustice
屈曲crooked
能屈能伸flexible
屈尊to deign
屈光度diopter
宁死不屈rather die than submit (idiom)寧死不屈
屈指to count on one's fingers
屈才to waste talent
叫屈to complain of an injustice
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 掘 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 屈
You can use 屈 in phrases like 屈服 (qūfú - to yield) or 屈尊 (qūzūn - to lower oneself).
Yes, 屈 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing emotional states or physical actions.
