摆样子 (bǎi yàng zi) — to put on a show, to do something for appearance's sake

Definition

A separable verb meaning to put on a show — doing something only for appearance, not for real effect. Always split: 摆个样子 / 摆了样子.

verb
to put on a show, to do something for appearance's sake

Examples

  • 摆样子，。
    Tā xǐ huan bǎi yàng zi, qí shí méi shén me běn shì.
    He likes to put on a show, but actually has no real ability.
  • ，。
    Tā bǎi le gè yàng zi jiù zǒu le, gēn běn méi bāng máng.
    He put on a show and left, didn't help at all.
  • 摆样子，。
    Bié guāng bǎi yàng zi, yào zuò diǎn shí shì.
    Don't just put on a show; do something real.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

摆bǎidisplay
样子appearance
样yàngappearance子zǐsuffix
后缀Suffix

摆 (display) + 样子 (appearance) means to put on a show.

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.

Open 摆 →

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 樣; 样 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
羕
羕yàng樣yàng
Same sound today

For 样, the traditional form 樣 pairs 木 (wood) with 羕 as a sound part.

Open 样 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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