弓
The 弓 radical
Bow
Memory hook
An unstrung bow with its curved body. Characters with it suggest drawing taut or bending: 张 (to stretch open), 引 (to pull), 弯 (to bend).
The 弓 radical (read gōng) means bow. The HSK 3.0 data contains 13 characters and 92 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 弓 radical
Study this radical's 92 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 弓 radical
13 charactersHSK 1· 1 characters
HSK 1弟
younger brother
HSK 3· 2 characters
HSK 3张
(measure word for flat objects, e.g. sheets of paper)
强
strong; powerful
HSK 4· 3 characters
HSK 4引
to pull
弯
to bend, to curve
弱
weak
HSK 5· 1 characters
HSK 5弹
play (a musical instrument)
HSK 7-9· 6 characters
HSK 7-9弓
bow
弘
vast, magnificent
弛
loose; slack; flabby
弥
full, overflowing, widespread
弦
string (of a bow, of a musical instrument)
弧
arc
Vocabulary with the 弓 radical
92 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 弓 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (42/92 words of this radical).
younger brother
to advocate; to maintain; to stand for
to strengthen; to reinforce
strong-willed; staunch
(measure word for flat objects, e.g. sheets of paper)
strong; powerful
powerful; mighty
strong; intense; fierce
to emphasize; to stress
nervous; tense
brothers
to attract
to pull
to guide, to lead
to cause, to give rise to
to introduce, to bring in
to bend, to curve
weak
to turn (direction), to make a turn
to strengthen
bullet
play (a musical instrument)
intensity
to force, to coerce
weak, frail
to bend; winding; curved
dominant strength, strong position
to strengthen, to reinforce
strong, sturdy
robber, bandit
apprentice; disciple
bomb
tenacious; indomitable
to look around, to glance this way and that
To uphold, to promote (justice, righteousness, etc.)
stubborn, obstinate, headstrong
to weaken, to diminish
to weaken, to reduce strength
to stir, to budge, to move
reluctant, forced, grudging
to react against, backlash
to strive hard to grow strong
Why learn vocabulary by the 弓 radical?
The 弓 radical hints at the meaning bow. When you meet an unfamiliar character carrying it, you already know part of its meaning before reaching for a dictionary — which is why learners who know their radicals move faster.
How to study: read the memory hook, skim the 13 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 92 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.