Chinese word

比划

Pronunciation

Pinyinbǐ huà

Meaning

  • verbgesture

Example

他在地图上用手比划路线。tā zài dì tú shàng yòng shǒu bǐ huà lù xiàn

He gestures to show the route on the map with his hand.

Illustration for 比划 (gesture)

More examples

他在黑暗中用手比划方向，大家找到了出口。tā zài hēi àn zhōng yòng shǒu bǐ huà fāng xiàng dà jiā zhǎo dào le chū kǒu

In the darkness, he gestured with his hand to show the direction, and everyone found the exit.

Core concept

Using the hands to make a direction, outline, or location visible in the air.

Common phrases

  • 用手比划方向yòng shǒu bǐ huà fāng xiàng

    show the direction with one's hand

  • 一边比划一边说yì biān bǐ huà yì biān shuō

    speak while gesturing

  • 比划半天bǐ huà bàn tiān

    keep gesturing for a long time

Similar words

打手势dá shǒu shì: Use the hands to communicate a signal or a simple message without words.
指zhǐ: Show exactly which object or direction is meant by pointing with a finger or hand.
示意shì yì: Communicate a signal or intention with a hand motion or a look.
招手zhāo shǒu: Wave toward someone as a sign that they should come over.

Definition in Chinese

用手指或手臂在空气中划动以指示方向、勾勒形状或指点位置，常见于言语不足以表达时的示意动作。yòng shóu zhǐ huò shǒu bì zài kōng qì zhōng huà dòng yǐ zhǐ shì fāng xiàng gōu lè xíng zhuàng huò zhí diǎn wèi zhì cháng jiàn yú yán yǔ bù zú yǐ biǎo dá shí de shì yì dòng zuò

Word origin

比划 (bǐhuà, "to gesture") combines 比 (bǐ, "set alongside") with 划 (huà, "draw a line"), evoking a hand-drawn sign that shows rather than says.

Usage tips

  • Because this is a verb, it commonly describes what a person does after the subject, rather than naming the movement as a noun.

Other meanings

  • point toverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word