Chinese word

摇摆

Pronunciation

Pinyinyáo bǎi

Meaning

  • verbsway

Example

树上的灯笼在风中摇摆。shù shàng de dēng lóng zài fēng zhōng yáo bǎi

The lanterns on the tree sway in the wind.

Illustration for 摇摆 (sway)

More examples

他的立场在压力下开始摇摆。tā de lì chǎng zài yā lì xià kāi shǐ yáo bǎi

His position began to waver under pressure.

Core concept

A movement back and forth between sides, positions, or directions.

Common phrases

  • 立场摇摆lì chǎng yáo bǎi

    waver in one's stance

  • 内心摇摆nèi xīn yáo bǎi

    waver inwardly

Similar words

动摇dòng yáo: Lose certainty and waver in a belief, opinion, or position.
摆动bǎi dòng: Move repeatedly from side to side around a support or fixed point.

Definition in Chinese

指从一种状态向另一种状态来回变化，常用于描述态度、意见或立场的动摇，也可指物体的摆动。zhǐ cóng yì zhǒng zhuàng tài xiàng lìng yì zhǒng zhuàng tài lái huí biàn huà cháng yòng yú miáo shù tài dù yì jiàn huò lì chǎng de dòng yáo yě kě zhǐ wù tǐ de bǎi dòng

Word origin

摇 (yáo, "shake") + 摆 (bǎi, "swing") combine the ideas of moving and swinging, so 摇摆 (yáobǎi, "sway") extends from physical motion to a changing stance.

Usage tips

  • For everyday decisions, this verb presents indecision as movement between alternatives, so it can describe a changing opinion without saying that the person has made a final choice.

Other meanings

  • swingnoun
  • rockverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 摇摆不定yáo bǎi bú dìngwaver indecisivelyidiom

Word lists with this word