摆渡 (bǎi dù) — to ferry (across a body of water) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'row across' — to ferry people or goods across water by boat. Unlike abstract transport words, it paints the picture of a small boat shuttling between two banks.

verb

to ferry (across a body of water)

Examples

摆渡。
Tā měi tiān yòng chuán bǎi dù yóu kè guò hé.
He ferries tourists across the river every day.
，摆渡。
Zhè tiáo hé bù kuān, nǐ kě yǐ yòng xiǎo chuán bǎi dù guò qù.
This river is not wide; you can ferry across with a small boat.
，摆渡。
Zài gǔ dài, rén men kào bǎi dù lái wǎng yú liǎng àn.
In ancient times, people relied on ferries to travel between the two banks.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

渡dùcross water

摆 and 渡 both concern crossing water by boat, so together they mean to ferry.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 擺; 摆 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

手手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

罷

罷bà擺bǎi

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 擺 has 手 (hand) with 罷 giving the sound bà; the simplified 摆 is a later shorthand, not the original shape.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

氵度渡

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

度

度dù渡dù

Same sound today

渡 has 氵, water, beside 度, which gives the sound.

Appears in

Boats & Water Travel

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