屈

Phono-semantic compound:

尸 (corpse radical, curved form of a body) — semantic, suggesting bending, lying, or curvature.

出 (to go out, emerge) — phonetic element, lending the sound.

In early interpretations (as in Shuowen Jiezi), 屈 was glossed as “a tail without continuation,” evoking the image of a body or form bent inward or downward. Over time it developed the concrete sense of “to bend physically” and figurative meanings of “to yield, to submit, to suffer decline.”

Semantic range:

- to bend, curve, flex;

- to bow, to submit, to yield;

- to suffer grievance, to feel wronged (屈辱);

- to decline, to weaken (as in strength or prosperity).

굴곡 (屈曲) — curves, winding, twists

굴복 (屈服) — submission, surrender

위축 (萎縮屈) — shrinking, contraction

억울 (抑屈) — unjustly wronged, grievance

굴신 (屈伸) — bending and stretching