Chinese word

摆动

Pronunciation

Pinyinbǎi dòng

Meaning

  • verbsway

Example

窗帘在风中摆动。chuāng lián zài fēng zhōng bǎi dòng

The curtains are swaying in the wind.

Illustration for 摆动 (sway)

More examples

小船在波浪中来回摆动。xiǎo chuán zài bō làng zhōng lái huí bǎi dòng

The small boat swayed back and forth in the waves.

Core concept

Back-and-forth movement around a point or direction, either happening by itself or caused by something else.

Common phrases

  • 在风中摆动zài fēng zhōng bǎi dòng

    sway in the wind

  • 来回摆动lái huí bǎi dòng

    sway back and forth

  • 轻轻摆动qīng qīng bǎi dòng

    sway gently

Similar words

摇动yáo dòng: Make an object rock or shake back and forth through force or impact.
摇摆yáo bǎi: Sway slowly back and forth from side to side, as a body or object does.
震动zhèn dòng: Shake violently because of strong vibration, especially as a machine or the ground.

Definition in Chinese

指围绕某一轴或方向往复摆动的动作或状态，可作不及物表示自身晃动，也可作及物表示使某物摆动。zhǐ wéi rào mǒu yì zhóu huò fāng xiàng wǎng fù bǎi dòng de dòng zuò huò zhuàng tài kě zuò bù jí wù biǎo shì zì shēn huàng dòng yě kě zuò jí wù biǎo shì shǐ mǒu wù bǎi dòng

Word origin

摆动 (bǎidòng, "to sway") combines 摆 (bǎi, "to move back and forth") with 动 (dòng, "to move"), making its repeated-motion sense transparent.

Usage tips

  • The word is neutral about speed, size, and direction, so nearby adverbs or phrases can add details such as slowly, gently, or toward the window.

Other meanings

  • rockverb
  • swingnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word