枉 wǎng useless
useless; in vain
How to remember 枉: 木 tree + 王 king = useless. Dad climbs the tall tree to rescue the cat, feeling like a king, but his effort is useless, because the cat simply jumps down.
Component breakdown
枉 = 木 tree + 王 king
- 木 tree
- 王 king
Dad climbs the tall tree to rescue the cat, feeling like a king, but his effort is useless, because the cat simply jumps down.
How it is used
- In vain, or wrongly/unjustly - 枉费 (wǎngfèi) to waste (effort) for nothing, 冤枉 (yuānwang) to wrongly accuse / a false charge.
- 枉然 (wǎngrán) means futile: 一切努力都是枉然 (yíqiè nǔlì dōu shì wǎngrán) all the effort was for naught.