2great waves (fig. of a story with great momentum)
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March 24, 2026
波澜(波瀾)bōlán(bo1lan2)
波澜 (bōlán) refers to billows or great waves, often used metaphorically to describe a situation or story that has significant momentum or dramatic developments. It conveys a sense of dynamism and change, commonly found in literature or discussions about events that have a powerful impact.
Frequency#25440DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, stories often have dramatic turning points described as 波澜, highlighting the importance of conflict and resolution in narratives, reflecting traditional storytelling values.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 波 (bō) as a wave rolling in, and 澜 (lán) as the sound of the waves crashing. Visualize standing on the shore, feeling the booming waves (波澜) around you, which helps you remember both the sound and meaning.
Meanings of 波澜
bōlán(bo1lan2)
1billows
2great waves (fig. of a story with great momentum)
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About 波澜
波澜Simplified
波瀾Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 波澜
Podcast: 波澜
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AI Study Notes for 波澜
Quick Contrast
波动 (bōdòng) refers to fluctuations or oscillations, typically implying a less dramatic change compared to 波澜 (bōlán), which suggests more significant and impactful waves.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 波 (bō) as a wave rolling in, and 澜 (lán) as the sound of the waves crashing. Visualize standing on the shore, feeling the booming waves (波澜) around you, which helps you remember both the sound and meaning.
Usage Notes
波澜 is often used in literary contexts to describe pivotal moments in stories or events. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words like 波 (wave) which has a more general meaning. It is more formal and typically used in written language.
HSK Study Tips
While 波澜 is not an HSK word, it can enrich your vocabulary as you learn about literary expressions. Focus on understanding how it can be used in different contexts, particularly in storytelling or discussing significant changes.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, stories often have dramatic turning points described as 波澜, highlighting the importance of conflict and resolution in narratives, reflecting traditional storytelling values.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 波澜 with simpler terms for 'wave' such as 波 (bō). For example, saying '这故事有很多波' (This story has many waves) is incorrect; the correct form would be '这故事有很多波澜' to convey the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 波澜
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Cultural Notes for 波澜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, stories often have dramatic turning points described as 波澜, highlighting the importance of conflict and resolution in narratives, reflecting traditional storytelling values.
Frequently Asked Questions about 波澜
You can say: '这部电影的情节波澜起伏，令人印象深刻。' (The plot of this movie has great waves of ups and downs, leaving a deep impression.)
While it can be used in spoken language, it is more commonly found in written contexts, especially literature.
The opposite could be 平静 (píngjìng), meaning calmness or tranquility, describing a lack of dramatic developments.
