屈
Character Story & Explanation
屈 appears in foundational Chinese idioms like 委曲求全 (wěi qū qiú quán — 'sacrifice dignity to preserve unity') and 不屈不挠 (bù qū bù náo — 'unyielding and indomitable'), both widely taught and used in education, media, and political discourse. Historically, it features in classical texts like the *Chu Ci* (Songs of Chu), where Qu Yuan’s name (屈原) literally contains this character — reflecting his tragic ‘bending’ under court corruption before exile.
The character evolved from seal script, where 尸 (a crouching figure) combined with 出 (to go out), suggesting ‘being driven out of upright stance’. Though not a pictograph of a bent person per se, its structure consistently conveys physical and moral subjugation across 2,000+ years of documented usage.
Hi students! Let’s look at 屈 (qū), an HSK Level 5 character with 8 strokes and the 尸 radical — which often relates to the body or posture. Its core idea is ‘bent’ — not just physically, like bending your knee, but also metaphorically: yielding, submitting, or being forced into a compromised position. Think of it as the visual and conceptual opposite of standing tall and firm.
This character appears in many abstract and emotional contexts — especially where dignity, resistance, or pressure is involved. It’s rarely used alone in modern speech, but it’s essential inside compound words and idioms. Notice how the top part (尸) suggests a person’s silhouette, while the bottom (出) originally implied movement — together hinting at someone ‘forced out of upright posture’.
Don’t confuse 屈 with similar-sounding characters like 曲 (qū, ‘bend’ as in melody) or 祛 (qū, ‘remove’). The key is intention: 屈 carries weight of *reluctant* bending — under pressure, injustice, or authority. That nuance makes it powerful in literature, law, and daily expressions about fairness and resilience.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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