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波澜 (bō lán) — (literary) great waves, billows; (figurative, of a story or events) magnificent momentum, sweeping grandeur

Definition

Literary word for great waves, often used figuratively for sweeping momentum or emotional surges. More elevated than 波浪 ('wave') and similar in force to 波涛, but 波澜 leans toward the figurative/abstract side.

noun
(literary) great wavesbillows(figurative, of a story or events) magnificent momentumsweeping grandeur

Examples

  • ，波澜。
    Hú miàn píng jìng, méi yǒu yì sī bō lán.
    The lake surface is calm, without a single ripple.
  • 波澜，。
    Zhè bù xiǎo shuō de qíng jié bō lán zhuàng kuò, lìng rén nán wàng.
    The plot of this novel is magnificent and unforgettable.
  • 波澜，。
    Tā nèi xīn bō lán qǐ fú, jiǔ jiǔ bù néng píng jìng.
    His heart was surging with emotion and couldn't calm down for a long time.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

波bōwave
澜lánlarge wave

波 means wave and 澜 means large wave; together they name billows.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
皮
皮pí波bō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left side 氵 is water, and the right side 皮 gives the sound.

Open 波 →

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 瀾; 澜 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
闌
闌lán瀾lán
Same sound today

The traditional form 瀾 pairs 氵 (water) with 闌 (lán), which gives the sound.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Geography & Landforms

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