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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liánhéCoordinate

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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