弓(ゆみ)

ゆみ

noun

bow (weapon/instrument)

1. bow (archery weapon)

a weapon for shooting arrows, consisting of a curved piece of wood or other flexible material with a string stretched between its ends

弓(ゆみ)を引(ひ)く。

To draw a bow.

日本(にほん)の弓道(きゅうどう)では長(なが)い弓(ゆみ)を使(つか)う。

Long bows are used in Japanese kyudo (archery).

弓(ゆみ)と矢(や)をそろえる。

To prepare the bow and arrows.

2. bow (for string instruments)

a stick with horsehair stretched between its ends, used to play string instruments like violin

バイオリンの弓(ゆみ)を松脂(まつやに)で手入(てい)れする。

To apply rosin to the violin bow.

弓(ゆみ)を弦(げん)に当(あ)てて音(おと)を出(だ)す。

You put the bow to the strings to make a sound.

チェロの弓(ゆみ)の毛(け)を張(は)り替(か)えてもらった。

I had the hair on my cello bow replaced.

Usage

The archery sense is far more common.

Pronunciation

弓(ゆみ): standalone word
きゅう: in compounds (弓道(きゅうどう), 弓術(きゅうじゅつ), 洋弓(ようきゅう))

Cultural note

Japanese archery (弓道(きゅうどう)) uses asymmetric longbows (和弓(わきゅう)) that are among the tallest in the world, about 2.2 meters long. 弓道(きゅうどう) emphasizes spiritual discipline and form, not just accuracy.

Common expressions

弓(ゆみ)を引(ひ)く: to draw a bow
弓(ゆみ)と矢(や): bow and arrow
弓(ゆみ)を射(い)る: to shoot a bow

Related words

弓道(きゅうどう): Japanese archery ("the way of the bow")
矢(や): arrow
的(まと): target
洋弓(ようきゅう): Western archery
弓術(きゅうじゅつ): archery technique (older term)

Related Words

Related: 矢(や) (arrow)

Related: 的(まと) (target)

Related: 弦楽器(げんがっき) (string instrument)

general

Added 2026.1.27 9:58 · Revised 2026.9.25 18:21

08000/08430_yumi