Chinese word

拐弯

Pronunciation

Pinyinguǎi wān

Meaning

  • verbturn

Example

在前面那个路口要拐弯。zài qián miàn nà ge lù kǒu yào guǎi wān

Turn at the intersection up ahead.

Illustration for 拐弯 (turn)

More examples

公交车在前方路口慢慢拐弯，行人纷纷躲开。gōng jiāo chē zài qián fāng lù kǒu màn màn guǎi wān xíng rén fēn fēn duǒ kāi

The bus slowly turns at the intersection ahead, and pedestrians get out of the way.

Core concept

Forward movement is redirected at a road junction, like a line that changes course instead of continuing straight.

Common phrases

  • 在路口拐弯zài lù kǒu guǎi wān

    turn at an intersection

  • 向左拐弯xiàng zuǒ guǎi wān

    turn left

  • 向右拐弯xiàng yòu guǎi wān

    turn right

Similar words

转弯zhuǎn wān: Turn around a bend or corner while moving along a road or path.
左拐zuǒ guǎi: Turn left while traveling along a road or path.
右拐yòu guǎi: Turn right while traveling along a road or path.
掉头diào tóu: Reverse direction and head back along the road.

Definition in Chinese

指在道路或行进路线的路口、拐角处将前进路线转向，通常表示向左或向右的转动。zhǐ zài dào lù huò xíng jìn lù xiàn de lù kǒu guái jiǎo chù jiāng qián jìn lù xiàn zhuǎn xiàng tōng cháng biǎo shì xiàng zuǒ huò xiàng yòu de zhuǎn dòng

Word origin

The compound 拐弯 (guǎiwān, "turn") pairs 拐 (guǎi, "turn") with 弯 (wān, "curve"), so its form presents turning as a route becoming curved.

Usage tips

  • English often makes the traveler the subject of a direction, while Chinese can leave that subject understood, so this verb commonly appears on its own in route guidance.

Other meanings

  • make a U-turnverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 拐弯儿guǎi wānrturnverb
  • 拐弯抹角guǎi wān mò jiǎospeak in a roundabout wayidiom

Word lists with this word