Definition
盘旋 (pán xuán) means 'to circle, to spiral' — it specifically describes a spiral or circular movement through the air (birds, planes) or a winding/meandering path. It differs from 绕 (rào, 'to go around, detour'), which is broader and includes physical detours, and from 环绕 (huán rào, 'to surround, orbit'), which implies encirclement or orbiting rather than a single path spiraling.
verb
to circleto spiral (in the air)to windto meander (of a road or path)
Examples
- 盘旋。Niǎo qún zài chéngshì shàngkōng jiǔ jiǔ pán xuán.A flock of birds circled over the city for a long time.
- 盘旋。Nà jià fēijī zài pǎodào shàngkōng pán xuán le hǎo jǐ quān cái jiàngluò.That plane circled over the runway several times before landing.
- 著盘旋，。Shān jiān xiǎo lù yán zhe shānpō pán xuán ér shàng, fēngjǐng hěn měi.The mountain path winds up along the slope, and the scenery is beautiful.
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