拐 (guǎi) is a verb with three unrelated meanings: 'to turn (a corner)', 'to kidnap', and 'to swindle/misappropriate'. For turning, it's used in directional phrases (e.g., 右拐) and is more concise than 拐弯, which implies a curve. For dishonest acts, 拐 is broader than 绑架 (specifically abducting by force) and 诈骗 (fraud), covering both taking people or misappropriating property.