Meaning of 摆
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to arrange
- to exhibit
- to move to and fro
- a pendulum
- hem (at the bottom of a garment)
How to use 摆
摆 is most often used for putting objects in a certain position, like setting a table or displaying goods. It also means to swing, as in 摆动 (bǎidòng) and 摇摆 (yáobǎi). Example: 请把碗筷摆好。(Qǐng bǎ wǎn kuài bǎi hǎo.) Please set out the bowls and chopsticks.
摆 has the hand radical 扌 on the left and 罢 (bà) on the right, which hints at the sound. Picture a hand putting things in place, setting dishes on a table or swinging something back and forth.
Common mistake: Learners often use 放 (fàng) and 摆 interchangeably. 放 is simply putting something down, while 摆 suggests arranging it neatly or on display. Also keep the third tone bǎi, not bài as in 拜 (to worship).
摆 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
摆 bǎi · to arrange · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 摆.
| 摆脱 | bǎituō | to break away from; to cast off (old ideas etc) |
| 摆动 | bǎidòng | to sway; to swing |
| 摆平 | bǎipíng | to be fair; to be impartial |
| 摇摆 | yáobǎi | to sway; to wobble |
| 摆设 | bǎishe | to set out; to display |
| 摆放 | bǎifàng | to set up; to arrange; to lay out |
| 摆布 | bǎibù | to arrange; to order about |
| 摆弄 | bǎinòng | to move back and forth; to fiddle with |
| 明摆着 | míngbǎizhe | evident; clear |
| 大摇大摆 | dàyáodàbǎi | to strut; swaggering |
| 摆出 | bǎichū | to assume; to adopt (a look, pose, manner etc) |
| 显摆 | xiǎnbai | (coll.) to show off |
Questions about 摆
What does 摆 mean?
摆 (bǎi) means "to arrange; to exhibit" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 摆?
摆 is made of 1 character: 摆 (13 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 摆 an HSK word?
Yes. 摆 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 摆 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 摆 is written 擺.
What does 摆脱 mean and how is it used?
摆脱 (bǎituō) means to break free from something unwanted, such as poverty, a bad habit, or someone following you. Example: 摆脱贫困 (bǎituō pínkùn), to escape poverty.
Does 摆 have any figurative meanings?
Yes. 摆架子 (bǎi jiàzi) means to put on airs, and 摆平 (bǎipíng) can mean to settle a problem or treat people fairly. In these phrases 摆 keeps the idea of setting something out or putting it in order.