When the formation data identifies 弓 as semantic, the relevant character record states that role.
← All 214 radical families
Semantic role Phonetic role Radical classification
弓
Radical 57 of 214 · 3 strokes
Bow
gōng
Unicode uses 弓 as a Kangxi radical category. Its reference meaning is bow; curved, arched; Kangxi radical 57. The relationship to an individual character may be semantic, historical, or primarily classificatory.
15 course characters59 character–word links
Semantic–phonetic characters identify the component associated with historical pronunciation.
The primary dictionary radical is shown independently of any claim about modern meaning.
Character index
15 course characters
Expand a character to view its structure, formation analysis, and related HSK words.
Showing 15 characters.
弟dìyoung brother, juniorDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Pictograph of a rope wrapped around a weapon. Relation to current meaning "younger brother" unclear.
- 戈Pictographic componentdagger-axe
- ◎Pictographic componentcharacterless component
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 丷 + 弓
HSK words with 弟3 words in this course
张zhāngto display; to expand, to open; to stretch; a sheet of paperDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Simplified form of 張. Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 長 represents the sound.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 长Phonetic componentlong; grow; elder
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 长
HSK words with 张7 words in this course
張zhāngto display; to expand, to open; to stretch; a sheet of paperDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 長 represents the sound.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 長Phonetic componentlong; grow; elder
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 長
HSK words with 張7 words in this course
引yǐnto pull, to stretch; to draw; to attractDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Pictograph of a bowstring being pulled back.
- 弓Pictographic componentbow (archery)
- 丨Pictographic componentvertical line
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 丨
HSK words with 引5 words in this course
弹dànbullet, pellet, shell; elastic, springyDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 单 represents the sound. Simplified form of 彈.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 单Phonetic componentsingle; list; form
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 单
HSK words with 弹4 words in this course
彈dànbullet, pellet, shell; elastic, springyDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 單 represents the sound.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 單Phonetic componentsingle; list; form
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 單
HSK words with 彈4 words in this course
弯wānbend, curve, turnDetails+
semantic formation
Formation: Simplified form of 彎. Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 䜌 represents the sound.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 亦Simplified formalso
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 亦 + 弓
- Also indexed under
- 亠 lid
HSK words with 弯1 word in this course
弱ruòweak, fragile, delicateDetails+
pictographic formation
Formation: Origin unclear. Contains two bows (弓) with extra marks, perhaps indicating damage or weakness in the bows.
- 弓Pictographic componentbow (archery)
- 弓Pictographic componentbow (archery)
- ◎Role unclearcharacterless component
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 冫
HSK words with 弱5 words in this course
強qiángstrong, powerful, energeticDetails+
semantic formation
Formation: Origin unclear.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 虽Role unclearalthough
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 厶 + 虫
HSK words with 強8 words in this course
强qiángstrong, powerful, energeticDetails+
semantic formation
Formation: Simplified form of 強. Origin unclear.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 虽Role unclearalthough
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 虽
HSK words with 强8 words in this course
彎wānbend, curve, turnDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 䜌 represents the sound.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 䜌Phonetic componentchaotic
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 䜌 + 弓
HSK words with 彎1 word in this course
弥mícomplete, extensive, full; to fillDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 尔 represents the sound. Simplified form of 彌.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 尔Phonetic componentyou (archaic)
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 尔
HSK words with 弥2 words in this course
弦xiánbow string; string instrument; hypotenuseDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Semantic–phonetic formation: 弓 contributes the broad semantic category “bow”; 玄 contributes the historical pronunciation.
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 玄
HSK words with 弦1 word in this course
彆bièawkwardDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 敝 represents the sound.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 敝Phonetic componentruined; shabby
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 敝 + 弓
HSK words with 彆1 word in this course
彌mícomplete, extensive, full; to fillDetails+
semantic–phonetic
Formation: Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 爾 represents the sound.
- 弓Semantic componentbow (archery)
- 爾Phonetic componentyou (archaic)
- Category radical
- 弓 bow
- Visual structure
- 弓 + 爾
HSK words with 彌2 words in this course
Classification: Unicode 17.0 kRSUnicode. Structure: Make Me a Hanzi. Formation: Dong Chinese Lexicon where available, with a documented Make Me a Hanzi fallback. Method and licenses.