Chinese word

弓

Pronunciation

Pinyingōng

Meaning

  • nounbow

Example

他会拉弓吗？tā huì lā gōng ma

Can he draw a bow?

Illustration for 弓 (bow)

More examples

那位运动员能稳稳地拉弓。nà wèi yùn dòng yuán néng wén wěn dì lā gōng

That athlete can draw a bow steadily.

Core concept

A bent body and stretched string work together to propel an arrow.

Common phrases

  • 拉弓lā gōng

    draw a bow

  • 张弓zhāng gōng

    draw a bow

  • 弓箭gōng jiàn

    bow and arrow

Similar words

箭jiàn: A slim, pointed projectile designed to fly when launched.
弩nǔ: A mechanical weapon that holds its string sideways and launches a projectile.
弦xián: A thin, elastic cord stretched across a curved frame to store and transfer force.

Definition in Chinese

一种用来发射箭矢的器具，形状弯曲，依靠弦的张力将箭射出。yì zhǒng yòng lái fā shè jiàn shǐ de qì jù xíng zhuàng wān qū yī kào xián de zhāng lì jiāng jiàn shè chū

Word origin

The written form of 弓 (gōng, "bow") comes from an early picture of a curved bow with its string, linking the character's shape to its meaning.

Usage tips

  • Chinese separates drawing the string from firing the arrow: 拉弓 (lā gōng, "draw a bow") names the first action, while 射箭 (shèjiàn, "shoot arrows") names the second.

Related words

  • 弓箭gōng jiànbow and arrownoun
  • 弓弦gōng xiánbowstringnoun

Word lists with this word