摇摆 (yáo bǎi) — to sway; to wobble; to waver

Definition

摇摆 (yáobǎi) is a vivid verb for swaying, wobbling, or wavering — often used for repeated back-and-forth motion. For wavering in resolve, 动摇 leans toward shaking a position, while 摇摆 keeps a more physical, image-rich feel.

verb
to swayto wobbleto waver

Examples

  • 摇摆。
    Tā hē jiǔ hòu zǒu lù yáo bǎi.
    He swayed while walking after drinking.
  • 摇摆。
    Gǒu wěi ba bù tíng dì yáo bǎi.
    The dog's tail wagged nonstop.
  • 。
    Tā de tài dù yáo bǎi bú dìng.
    His attitude wavered.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

摇yáoshake
摆bǎiswing

摇 means shake and 摆 means swing, so 摇摆 describes swaying back and forth.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 摇 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6

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