拗
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: to twist; to bend
💡 Hand (扌) twisting an ǎo (拗) shape: think of bending a stubborn branch.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
拗 (ǎo/ào/niù) depicts twisting or bending, both physically and metaphorically. With radical 扌 (hand), it suggests manual action. In Chinese philosophy, it reflects the tension between rigidity and flexibility—breaking something stubborn requires controlled force. Used in phrases like 拗不过 (ào bù guò, cannot persuade), it reveals cultural emphasis on harmony through gentle persuasion rather than direct confrontation.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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