Meaning:

bent; twisted; song; tune; music

Origin:

甲骨文的“曲”像曲尺形，本义是“弯曲”，和“直”相对（音qū）。又有“乐曲”的意思（音qǔ）。

On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, the character “曲” resembles a curved ruler, so its original meaning was “bent,” the opposite of straight, and it was pronounced “qū.” It also has the meaning “music” and “song” when pronounced “qǔ.”

Words:

   歌曲 (gēqǔ)  : song

   曲调 (qǔdiào): tune; melody

   曲折 (qūzhé): bending

   是非曲直 (shìfēi qūzhí): right and wrong

Examples:

1. 舒伯特为许多诗歌谱了曲.

    ShūBótè wèi xǔduō shīgē pǔle qǔ.

    Schubert set many poems to music.

2. 有时候他喜欢躺在地板上，曲着腿，头枕在肘上。

    Yǒushíhou tā xǐhuan tǎngzài dìbǎn shàng，qū zhe tuǐ，tóu zhěn zài zhǒushàng

    Sometimes he likes to recline on the floor, his legs bent and his head resting on his elbow.