弓 meaning and stroke order
A bow (weapon); to bend; to arch (one's back etc)
How to write 弓, stroke by stroke
3 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
Meaning of 弓
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- a bow (weapon)
- to bend
- to arch (one's back etc)
How 弓 is built
Pictographic character. A bow aimed to the left.
How to remember 弓
弓 (gōng) is a picture of a bow aimed to the left. The zigzag shape is the curved wooden body of the bow, bent and ready to shoot.
弓 is mostly used for the weapon, often in the word 弓箭 (gōngjiàn), bow and arrow. It can also mean to bend or arch, like arching your back. Example: 他拿起弓箭。(Tā ná qǐ gōngjiàn.) He picked up the bow and arrow.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 弓 (gōng) with 号 (hào) or 弔, since the lower hooked part looks similar. Also, 弹弓 is read dàngōng, not tángōng, because 弹 here means pellet.
Common words with 弓
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
弓 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 弓
Learning 弓 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 弓
How many strokes are in 弓?
弓 is written with 3 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 弓 mean?
弓 (gōng) means a bow (weapon); to bend; to arch (one's back etc). A common word with it is 弓箭手 (gōngjiànshǒu), meaning "archer".
How do you pronounce 弓?
弓 is pronounced gōng, in the first tone (high and level).
Is 弓 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 弓 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
Why does 弓 appear in characters like 张 and 弹?
弓 works as a component in characters linked to stretching or shooting. 张 (zhāng) originally meant to draw a bow, and 弹 (dàn or tán) relates to pellets shot from a bow.
Can 弓 be used as a verb in everyday speech?
Yes, it can mean to bend or arch, as in 弓着背 (gōngzhe bèi), with one's back arched. This is less common than the noun meaning but appears in descriptions of posture.