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JLPT N19画 · 9 strokesradical 弓freq #2371

arc, arch, bow

On'yomi (音読み)

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

Mnemonic

The archer draws his bow back, forming an elegant arc that resembles a perfect arch in the sky.

About this kanji

The kanji 「弧」 represents the idea of an arc or a bow shape. It is used primarily as a noun rather than a verb. One common compound is 括弧 (かっこ), which means "brackets" in writing. Another is 円弧 (えんこ), meaning "arc" as in the curved part of a circle. There’s also 弧光 (ここう), referring to "arc light," a type of bright lighting. When you see this kanji, think of shapes that curve, like the ones found in geometry. While it’s not used much on its own in daily conversation, it appears frequently in more technical contexts.

Example sentences

  • あの弧を描く絵が好きだ。

    I like the painting that has that arc.

Meanings across languages

English
arc, arch, bow
Tiếng Việt
cung, vòm, cung tên
日本語
弧, こ
한국어
호, 아치
中文
弧, 弓
id
busur, busur, busur
th
อาร์ค, อาร์ค, อาร์ค
es
arco, arco, arco
fr
arc, arc, arc
de
Bogen, Bogen, Bogen
pt
arco, arco, arco

Common compounds

  • 括弧かっこbrackets, parentheses
  • 円弧えんこarc
  • 弧光ここうarc light
  • 弧状こじょうarc shape, crescent shape
  • 弧線こせんarc (of a circle)
  • 弧度こどdegree of curvature
  • 弧灯ことうarc lamp
  • 弧形こけいarc

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