曲线 qūxiàn curve
curve; curved line; indirect; in a roundabout way
How to remember 曲线: 曲 bend + 线 line = curve.
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How it is used
- 'Curve, curved line' - 增长曲线 (zēngzhǎng qūxiàn) a growth curve; body 曲线 (contours).
- Also figurative/adverbial 曲线救国 (qūxiàn jiùguó) to reach a goal by an indirect, roundabout route.
- Technical in graphs/math, but the 'roundabout' extension is idiomatic.