How to say "curl" in Japanese

• カールCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe curl of hair itself — a ringlet or wavy lock. Use it when talking about hair: its shape, a hairstyle, or hair that curls, not about bending things or swirling smoke.
  メグの髪かみは自然しぜんにカールする。↗

  Meg's hair curls naturally.
• 曲げるまげるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA verb for bending something into a different shape. Use it when 'curl' means to bend — crooking a finger, curving a piece of wire — not for curls of hair or swirling smoke.
• 渦巻くうずまくCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbA verb for whirling or eddying motion; its 'curl' sense applies to smoke. Use it for smoke curling and for other swirling movement, not for hair or for bending something.

For 'curl', 「カール」 is about hair, 「渦巻く」 is a verb for smoke and other swirling motion, and 「曲げる」 covers the bending sense — curling a finger or an object into a curve.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• カールcurl (of hair)
• 曲げるまげるto bend
• 渦巻くうずまくto whirl
• 巻き毛まきげcurl
• 縮らせるちぢらせるto curl
• 縮らすちぢらすto curl
• 巻き癖まきくせcurl (on a rolled poster, etc.)
• ひん曲がるひんまがるto bend sharply
• 癖くせcrease
• 切るきるto curl (a ball)
• 回転かいてんrotation