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しなる Japanese meaning | Kotomora

しなる

also: しわる

し

な

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

bend; warp; yield under pressure

usually written using kana alone

Describes something long and slender bending under force without breaking, or figuratively yielding. Often used for branches, rods, or flexible materials.

See also: 撓う

強つよい風かぜで木きの枝えだがしなった。
The tree branch bent in the strong wind.

この釣つり竿ざおはよくしなる。

This fishing rod bends well.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be supple; be flexible; be pliant

usually written using kana alone

Emphasizes a quality of suppleness or elasticity, often of bamboo, a body, or a movement. Related to the adjective しなやか.

See also: しなやか · 撓う

竹たけは軽かるくてよくしなる素そ材ざいだ。
Bamboo is a light and very flexible material.
体たい操そう選せん手しゅの体からだは驚おどろくほどしなる。
The gymnast's body bends with astonishing suppleness.

Written forms

しなるUsage97%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 撓る is rare.
しわるUsage3%
Rare reading variant; mostly encountered in older or dialectal usage.
撓る
- しなる
  Rare kanji form; the reading しわる is also possible but uncommon.
- しわる

Kanji

撓bend, train, lithe

Similar words

しなやか
しなやか is a na-adjective describing the quality of being supple or graceful, while しなる is the verb for the bending action or state.
曲まがる
曲がる is a general verb for bending or turning, often with a sharper angle or change of direction, while しなる implies a smooth, elastic bend.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain; it may be related to the mimetic root しな (as in しなやか) suggesting pliancy.