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摆动 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
摆动bǎidòngto swayHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #11651, Very Hard
摆动bǎidòngto swingHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #11651, Very Hard
摆动bǎidòngto move back and forthHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #11651, Very Hard
摆动bǎidòngto oscillateHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #11651, Very Hard
bǎidòng(bai3dong4)bai dong T3
  1. 1to sway
  2. 2to swing
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March 24, 2026

摆动(擺動)bǎidòng(bai3dong4)

摆动 (bǎi dòng) refers to the action of swaying or swinging back and forth. It is commonly used to describe the movement of objects like pendulums or people swaying to music, as well as metaphorical uses such as indecision or fluctuating opinions.

Strokes19Frequency#11651DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese dance, performers often use gestures that involve 摆动 to express emotions and tell stories, highlighting the cultural significance of movement and rhythm.

Memory Tip

Imagine a pendulum 'bai' (摆) that 'dongs' (动) back and forth. The character 摆 looks like a person swinging their arms while 'dong' sounds like a bell ringing — signaling the rhythm of the swing.

Meanings of 摆动

bǎidòng(bai3dong4)
1to sway
2to swing
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About 摆动

摆动Simplified
擺動Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

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Podcast: 摆动

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AI Study Notes for 摆动

Quick Contrast

摇摆 (yáobǎi) - 摆动 (bǎidòng) emphasizes a more rhythmic or controlled motion, while 摇摆 (yáobǎi) often implies a less stable or more erratic movement.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious about the tone; ensure you pronounce it correctly as 'bǎi dòng'. Common collocations include 摆动身体 (sway the body) and 摆动不定 (swing uncertainly).

HSK Study Tips

Although 摆动 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with words related to movement and action that are commonly found in HSK levels 3-5. Focus on understanding its application in describing physical and metaphorical motions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 摆动 with other movement-related words. For example, saying 摆动 (sway) when they mean 走动 (to walk) or 运动 (to exercise) is incorrect. Ensure you use 摆动 specifically for oscillating or swinging movements.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 摆动

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Component Characters

摆bǎito arrange
HSK 613 strokes扌
View full entry
动dòngto use
HSK 26 strokes力
View full entry

How to say to sway in Chinese

“to sway” in Chinese is摆动bǎidòng

摆动 (bǎi dòng) refers to the action of swaying or swinging back and forth. It is commonly used to describe the movement of objects like pendulums or people swaying to music, as well as metaphorical uses such as indecision or fluctuating opinions.

When to use 摆动

This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious about the tone; ensure you pronounce it correctly as 'bǎi dòng'. Common collocations include 摆动身体 (sway the body) and 摆动不定 (swing uncertainly).

摆动 or something close to it

摇摆 (yáobǎi) - 摆动 (bǎidòng) emphasizes a more rhythmic or controlled motion, while 摇摆 (yáobǎi) often implies a less stable or more erratic movement.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 摆动 with other movement-related words. For example, saying 摆动 (sway) when they mean 走动 (to walk) or 运动 (to exercise) is incorrect. Ensure you use 摆动 specifically for oscillating or swinging movements.

Write 摆动

摆
动

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Frequently Asked Questions about 摆动

Some synonyms include 摆动 (to sway), 摇摆 (to sway or rock), and 震动 (to vibrate). Each has slightly different nuances.

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