弧

• A wooden bow (often emphasizing the material or physical curve).
• An arc or curved line/object.
• The crescent moon.

• Noun: Refers to the object or the shape.
• Modifier: Used as an adjective meaning "bow-shaped" or "curved."

// Contrast with //gōng// (弓): While //gōng// is the general term for any bow, //hú* often emphasizes the material or the physical curve of the weapon.

// Pairing with //xián// (弦): Frequently paired to contrast the curve (//hú//) with the straight line or chord (//xián*); this occurs in descriptions of weaponry as well as mathematical and astronomical contexts.

• Fanqie reading: 戶吳
• Tang-period reading: ho

Selection typically depends on the semantic neighborhood:

• Military/Ritual contexts → bow.
• Mathematical/Descriptive contexts → arc or curve.
• Celestial/Poetic contexts → crescent moon.