屈 — Bend, Stoop, Yield

Meaning

The kanji 屈 (KUTSU) primarily means to bend, stoop, or crouch. Beyond physical posture, it also extends to more abstract concepts such as yielding, submitting, flinching, or being humbled. It implies a departure from an upright, assertive, or unyielding state, suggesting either physical flexibility, vulnerability, or a forced concession.

To better understand its meaning, let's look at its etymology. This kanji is formed from two radicals: 尸 (shikabane), which often depicts a "corpse" or a "roof/shelter," and 出 (deru), meaning "to go out" or "to exit." Imagine someone needing to "exit" (出) from under a low "shelter" or "roof" (尸). They would instinctively have to bend or stoop to fit. This immediate visual connection directly links to the kanji's core physical meanings.

This idea of being constrained or confined, and having to bend one's body or will to escape or conform, naturally extends to the meanings of yielding or submitting. Its overall shape suggests a posture that is curved or submissive, rather than straight or assertive.

This kanji has 8 strokes and is considered an advanced kanji, classified under the JLPT N1 level, not typically taught within the standard Japanese school grades.

Readings

Like many kanji, 屈 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Each is used in different contexts to convey its various nuances.

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi reading for 屈 is クツ (KUTSU). This reading is commonly found in compound words, particularly those that carry more formal, abstract, or metaphorical meanings related to bending, yielding, or resistance.

屈伸くっしん (kusshin) — bending and stretching; flexibility exercises. This compound emphasizes the physical act of bending and stretching, often heard when discussing warm-up exercises.
屈辱くつじょく (kutsujoku) — humiliation; disgrace. Here, 屈 conveys the feeling of being forced to bend one's pride or will, such as experiencing a public disgrace.
屈服くっぷく (kuppuku) — submission; surrender. This word directly describes surrendering to an external force or authority, like a military surrender.
不屈ふくつ (fukutsu) — indomitable; unyielding; tenacious. The prefix 不 (fu-) negates 屈, emphasizing resilience and a refusal to give in, as in an unyielding spirit.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

Kun'yomi readings for 屈 are generally used when the kanji stands alone or with okurigana (hiragana suffixes) as a verb. These often describe physical actions or a state of yielding.

かが-む (kaga-mu): This intransitive verb means "to stoop," "to crouch," or "to bend down" (of oneself). It's a common everyday term for physical bending.
屈むかがむ (kagamu) — to stoop; to crouch. E.g., 彼かれは地面じめんに落おちたペンを拾ひろうために屈かがんだ。(He crouched to pick up the pen that fell on the ground.)
かが-める (kaga-meru): This transitive verb means "to bend (something) down" or "to stoop (oneself)," implying an active action.
腰こしを屈かがめる (koshi o kagameru) — to bend one's waist.
身みを屈かがめる (mi o kagameru) — to stoop one's body; to crouch down.
くっ-する (kut-suru): This verb means "to yield," "to submit," or "to give in," often used metaphorically for conceding or being defeated.
屈くっする (kut-suru) — to yield; to give in; to succumb.
圧力あつりょくに屈くっする (atsuryoku ni kus-suru) — to yield to pressure.

Common Words & Compounds

Below are common words and compounds using 屈, grouped by theme to help you understand their contexts:

Physical Actions and Postures

屈伸くっしん (kusshin) — bending and stretching, flexibility exercises. Essential for warming up before sports.
屈むかがむ (kagamu) — to stoop, to crouch, to bend down. For example, to pick something up from the floor.
屈めるかがめる (kagameru) — to bend (transitive). For instance, bending one's knees or back.
屈曲くっきょく (kukkyoku) — a bend, curve, flexion. Often used to describe winding roads or anatomical joints.

Submission, Resistance, and Humiliation

屈服くっぷく (kuppuku) — submission, surrender. Giving in to an opponent or authority after a long struggle.
屈するくっする (kut-suru) — to yield, to give in, to succumb. To concede defeat or give way under pressure.
不屈ふくつ (fukutsu) — indomitable, unyielding, tenacious. Describes a spirit that refuses to bend or break despite challenges.
屈辱くつじょく (kutsujoku) — humiliation, disgrace. The feeling of being deeply shamed or forced into a demeaning position.
屈強くっきょう (kukkyō) — robust, burly, strong. Interestingly, this implies a strength that resists bending, often used for a powerfully built person.

Abstract and Specialized Terms

迂屈うくつ (ukutsu) — circuitous, indirect, evasive. Implies bending or deviating from a direct path or approach, like an evasive answer.
内屈ないくつ (naikutsu) — introversion. A psychological term describing an inward turning or bending of one's thoughts or personality.

Example Sentences

Let's look at how 屈 appears in various contexts through these example sentences, moving from simple physical actions to more abstract concepts:

子供こどもは遊あそびながら屈かがんだり伸のびたりした。

Kodomo wa asobinagara kagandari nobitari shita.

The child bent down and stretched while playing.

彼かれは小ちいさい入口いりぐちを通とおるために身みを屈かがめた。

Kare wa chiisai iriguchi o tōru tame ni mi o kagameta.

He bent his body to pass through the small entrance.

幾度いくどとなく失敗しっぱいしても、彼かれの不屈ふくつの精神せいしんは決けっして屈くっしなかった。

Ikudo tonaku shippai shitemo, kare no fukutsu no seishin wa kesshite kusshinakatta.

Even after countless failures, his indomitable spirit never yielded.

敵てきの圧力あつりょくに屈服くっぷくすることなく、彼かれらは戦たたかい続つづけた。

Teki no atsuryoku ni kuppuku suru koto naku, karera wa tatakai tsuzuketa.

Without submitting to the enemy's pressure, they continued to fight.

運動前うんどうまえには必かならず屈伸運動くっしんうんどうをして、怪我けがを防ふせぎましょう。

Undō mae ni wa kanarazu kusshin undō o shite, kega o fusegimashō.

Before exercising, always do some bending and stretching to prevent injuries.

彼かれは屈辱くつじょくを受うけても、立たち直なおる強つよさがあった。

Kare wa kutsujoku o uketemo, tachinaoru tsuyosa ga atta.

Even after suffering humiliation, he had the strength to recover.

山道さんどうは屈曲くっきょくしており、運転うんてんには注意ちゅういが必要ひつようだ。

Sandō wa kukkyoku shite ori, unten ni wa chūi ga hitsuyō da.

The mountain road is winding (bent), so driving requires caution.

多額たがくの借金しゃっきんを抱かかえ、彼かれは遂ついに政府せいふの救済策きゅうさいさくに屈くっした。

Tagaku no shakkin o kakae, kare wa tsui ni seifu no kyūsaitsusaku ni kusshita.

Burdened with a large debt, he finally yielded to the government's relief measures.

Memory Tip

To help remember 屈 (KUTSU), visualize its components: 尸 (shikabane, "corpse" or "roof/shelter") and 出 (deru, "to exit"). Imagine a situation where you are inside a very small, low "shelter" (尸) or a cramped cave. To "exit" (出) this confined space, you would inevitably have to "bend" or "crouch" your body low.

This physical act of bending to get out perfectly encapsulates 屈's core meanings: bending and stooping. By extension, it also represents yielding or submitting when one is forced to bend their will or position to fit a situation.