卷曲
juǎnqū
In Chinese, the English word 'curly' is expressed by the adjective 卷曲 (juǎnqū).
The adjective 卷曲 describes a state of being curly or coiled. While it can be used for hair, it is also used to describe physical objects that are winding or coiled, such as wires, smoke or paths.
Meaning: having curls (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of two parts: 卷 (juǎn), meaning to roll or curl and 曲 (qū), meaning bent or curved.
Which one should you use?
卷曲 is an adjective used to describe the state of being curly. In contrast, if you want to refer to the noun 'curly hair' specifically, you should use 卷发.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use 卷曲 as an attributive adjective directly before a noun, it is common to add the particle 的 to form 卷曲的.
How do you pronounce it?
juǎnqū
Did you know?
- In modern digital culture, the character 卷 (juǎn) has transformed into the popular slang term 内卷 (nèijuǎn). This term describes 'involution', or the exhausting, hyper-competitive struggle for limited resources in society.
- The character 曲 is the primary word for a 'song' or 'melody'. This stems from an ancient cultural belief that music consists of a series of winding or curving tones.
- When talking about hair, Chinese speakers use the specific term 烫发 (tàngfà) for permed hair. The character 烫 (tàng) actually carries the meaning of 'scalding' or 'hot', referring to the heat used in the process.
Examples in context
- 她有一頭卷髮 / 她有一头卷发She has curly hair.
- 那位捲毛的人是我的朋友That person with curly hair is my friend.
- 这种卷曲的羊毛很暖和。zhè zhǒng juǎnqū de yángmáo hěn nuǎnhuo.This kind of curly wool is very warm.
- 路边有卷曲的藤蔓。lùbiān yǒu juǎnqū de téngwàn.There are curly vines by the roadside.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Wei are talking about a new hairstyle.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你看我的新发型。Wěi, nǐ kàn wǒ de xīn fàxíng.Wei, look at my new hairstyle.
- 伟 Wei你的头发变得很卷曲。Nǐ de tóufa biànde hěn juǎnqū.Your hair has become very curly.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你觉得好看吗？Nǐ juéde hǎokàn ma?Do you think it looks good?
- 伟 Wei我觉得很漂亮。Wǒ juéde hěn piàoliang.I think it is very beautiful.
