曲げる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Spelling: 曲げる. Reading: まげる. Core meaning: to bend; to compromise.
• Basic usage: Representative examples: 針金を丸く曲げて輪を作った / 都合が悪くても、自分の信念を曲げるつもりはない.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Objects and convictions
  • It can mean physically bending an object such as wire or figuratively bending one's convictions. In the latter use, 信念を曲げる means compromising or changing one's position.