摆动 (bǎi dòng) — to sway, to swing, to oscillate

Definition

摆动 emphasizes regular, rhythmic back-and-forth motion (a flag, a pendulum). Use 摇摆 for wavering or wobbling, 晃 for a quick, lighter shake.

verb

to swayto swingto oscillate

摆动。
Qí zhì zài fēng zhōng qīng qīng bǎi dòng.
The flag sways gently in the wind.
摆动。
Qiū qiān zài fēng zhōng lái huí bǎi dòng.
The swing swings back and forth in the wind.
摆动。
Tā suí zhe yīn yuè jié zòu bǎi dòng shēn tǐ.
He sways his body to the rhythm of the music.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

摆 and 动 both express movement, together meaning to sway.

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

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

重力動

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìstrength

Sound part声符shēngfú

重

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Appears in