摆放 (bǎi fàng) — to arrange, to set out, to display | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

摆放 is a concrete, physical 'to arrange / set out / display' — used for placing objects on a surface (flowers, tableware, goods). Less abstract than 安排 (planning people/events) and less formal than 排列 (arranging in a deliberate order).

verb

to arrangeto set outto display

Examples

摆放。
Tā xǐ huan bǎ xiān huā bǎi fàng zài kè tīng de huā píng lǐ.
She likes to arrange fresh flowers in the living room vase.
，摆放。
Kè rén lái zhī qián, bǎ cān jù bǎi fàng hǎo.
Set out the tableware before the guests arrive.
摆放。
Shāng diàn lǐ de shāng pǐn bǎi fàng dé hěn xī yǐn rén.
The products in the store are displayed very attractively.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

摆bǎiarrange

摆 and 放 both mean placing things, so together they describe arranging or displaying items.

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.

方攵放

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攵Written in full as攴pūhand, action

Sound part声符shēngfú

方

方fāng放fàng

Same sound today

放 uses 方 for its sound and 攵, a hand/action part, to mark an action of release.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Order & Arrangement

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