Meaning of 摆动
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to sway
- to swing
- to move back and forth
- to oscillate
How to use 摆动
摆动 describes repeated back-and-forth motion, such as a tail, branches, a pendulum, or arms while walking. It is often used with things that sway on their own or in the wind. Example: 小狗高兴地摆动尾巴。(Xiǎogǒu gāoxìng de bǎidòng wěiba.) The puppy happily wags its tail.
摆 (bǎi) has the hand radical 扌, so picture a hand swinging something back and forth. 动 (dòng) means to move, so 摆动 is a hand-driven movement that keeps going side to side, like a pendulum.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes use 摆动 for any movement, but it only means swinging or swaying back and forth. For moving in general, use 动 or 移动 (yídòng). Also keep the third tone on 摆 (bǎi) and the fourth tone on 动 (dòng).
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
摆 bǎi · to arrange · 13 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
动 dòng · to move · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 摆动.
| 动作 | dòngzuò | movement; motion; action; to act; to move |
| 行动 | xíngdòng | operation; action |
| 动物 | dòngwù | animal |
| 活动 | huódòng | to exercise; to move about; to work out; shaky; unsteady; loose (tooth etc) |
| 运动 | yùndòng | to move; to exercise |
| 感动 | gǎndòng | to move (sb); to touch (sb emotionally) |
| 动物园 | dòngwùyuán | zoo |
| 发动 | fādòng | to start; to launch |
| 自动 | zìdòng | automatic; voluntarily |
| 主动 | zhǔdòng | to take the initiative; to do sth of one's own accord |
| 动力 | dònglì | motive power; (fig.) motivation; impetus |
| 推动 | tuīdòng | to push (e.g. for acceptance of a plan); to promote; to give impetus to |
Questions about 摆动
What does 摆动 mean?
摆动 (bǎidòng) means "to sway; to swing" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 摆动?
摆动 is made of 2 characters: 摆 (13 strokes), 动 (6 strokes). That is 19 strokes in total.
Is 摆动 an HSK word?
Yes. 摆动 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 摆动 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 摆动 is written 擺動.
What is the difference between 摆动 and 摇动?
Both involve repeated motion. 摆动 suggests a smooth swing from side to side, like a pendulum. 摇动 (yáodòng) is more like shaking or rocking something, often by hand.
Can 摆动 be used in a figurative sense?
Yes. It can describe opinions or prices that waver back and forth, as in 他的态度来回摆动 (tā de tàidù láihuí bǎidòng), meaning his attitude keeps wavering.