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摆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
摆bǎito arrangeHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1629, Medium
摆bǎito exhibitHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1629, Medium
摆bǎito move to and froHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1629, Medium
摆bǎia pendulumHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1629, Medium
摆bǎito arrange, to display; pendulum, swingHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1629, Medium
bǎi(bai3) T3
  1. 1to arrange
  2. 2to exhibit
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

摆(擺)bǎi(bai3)

The verb 摆 (bǎi) means to arrange or display something in a certain order or position. It is commonly used in contexts such as organizing items, setting a table, or showcasing products. The nuance includes a sense of intentionality in how items are positioned for aesthetic or functional purposes.

Strokes13Radical扌Frequency#1629DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the arrangement of food and items during festivals or important occasions reflects harmony and respect for tradition. 摆 is often used in the context of preparing for such events, emphasizing the importance of presentation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a baker named Bai who loves to arrange his pastries beautifully on a display. The character 摆 looks like a hand (扌) setting (摆) something down, which can help you remember that it involves arranging or placing things.

Meanings of 摆

bǎi(bai3)
1to arrange
2to exhibit
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 摆

摆Simplified
擺Traditional
13Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1629Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 摆

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Podcast: 摆

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AI Study Notes for 摆

Quick Contrast

摆 (bǎi) vs 放 (fàng) — use 摆 when emphasizing arrangement or display, while 放 is more general for placing without the same intentionality.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a baker named Bai who loves to arrange his pastries beautifully on a display. The character 摆 looks like a hand (扌) setting (摆) something down, which can help you remember that it involves arranging or placing things.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 摆 with 放 (fàng), which simply means 'to put' without the aspect of arrangement. In informal contexts, 摆 is often used to describe how things are displayed, while in formal contexts it can refer to more structured arrangements like in presentations or exhibitions. Be mindful of the tone when using it in different contexts.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 摆 connects well with other verbs related to action and placement, such as 放 (fàng) and 排 (pái). Students should focus on practicing sentences that involve arranging or displaying items to solidify understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the arrangement of food and items during festivals or important occasions reflects harmony and respect for tradition. 摆 is often used in the context of preparing for such events, emphasizing the importance of presentation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 摆 with other similar verbs like 排 (pái). For instance, saying '我排桌子' (Wǒ pái zhuōzi) instead of '我摆桌子' (Wǒ bǎi zhuōzi) is incorrect, as 排 suggests ordering rather than arranging.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 摆

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Etymology of 摆

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 罢 represents the sound. Simplified form of 擺.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)罢
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 摆?

Decomposition of 摆

IDS Structure⿰扌罢
摆Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
罢ba4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 摆?

Write 摆

摆

Practice writing 摆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 摆

摆 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

窗户外边是一块草地，高高的草随风摇____。

The windows overlooked a lawn of tall waving grass.

Common Confusions with 摆

摆vs拜
bài

Similar sound but different meaning and usage

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to arrange"?

or

Usage Notes for 摆

Usage in sentencesGrammar Tip

The verb '摆' often requires a direct object to indicate what is being arranged or exhibited.

1

我摆好了桌子。

I have arranged the table.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我____好了桌子。

I have arranged the table.

Example Sentences for 摆 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
窗户外边是一块草地，高高的草随风摇摆。

chuāng hù wài biān shì yī kuài cǎo dì， ， gāo gāo de cǎo suí fēng yáo。

The windows overlooked a lawn of tall waving grass.
2
这家航空公司亏损达3,500万美元，而澳航出资帮助其摆脱了困境。

zhè jiā háng kōng gōng sī kuī sǔn dá3,500 3,500 wàn měi， yuán ， ér ào háng chū zī bāng zhù qí bǎi tuō le。

The airline had losses of $35m and was bailed out by Qantas.
3
我离开了得克萨斯州，总算摆脱了那里的一切。

wǒ lí kāi le dé kè sà sī zhōu， ， zǒng suàn bǎi tuō le nà lǐ de yī。

I left Texas and said good riddance to all that.
4
这就意味着，至少所有的选择都已经摆到了桌面上。

zhè jiù yì wèi zháo， ， zhì shǎo suǒ yǒu de xuǎn zé dū yǐ jīng bǎi dào le zhuō miàn。

It means that all the options are at least on the table.
5
一棵棵高大橡树的枝条随风摇摆。

yī kē kē gāo dà xiàng shù de zhī tiáo suí fēng yáo bǎi。

The wind was bouncing the branches of the big oak trees.
6
总统一职似乎正在沦为政治上的摆设。

zǒng tǒng yī zhí sì hū zhèng zài lún wéi zhèng zhì shàng de bǎi shè。

The presidency is beginning to appear a political irrelevance.
7
他一进来，狗就开始摇头摆尾。

tā yī jìn lái， ， gǒu jiù kāi shǐ yáo tóu bǎi。

As soon as he got inside, the dog shook himself.
8
他捡起一支铅笔，无所事事地摆弄着。

tā jiǎn qǐ yī zhī qiān bǐ， ， wú suǒ shì shì dì bǎi nòng。

He picked up a pencil and toyed with it idly.
9
为了摆脱媒体的关注，这对新人在加勒比喜结连理。

wéi le bǎi tuō méi tǐ de guān zhù， ， zhè duì xīn rén zài jiā lè bǐ xǐ jié lián。

The couple married in the Caribbean to avoid a media circus.
10
作为一名选手，他毫无私念，真正把自己摆在团队中。

zuò wéi yī míng xuǎn shǒu， ， tā háo wú sī， niàn ， zhēn zhèng bǎ zì jǐ bǎi zài tuán。

As a player he was unselfish, a true team man.

Cultural Notes for 摆

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the arrangement of food and items during festivals or important occasions reflects harmony and respect for tradition. 摆 is often used in the context of preparing for such events, emphasizing the importance of presentation.

Word Family of 摆

Words Containing This Character20
摆bǎito arrange擺
摆脱bǎituōto break away from擺脫
摆放bǎifàngto set up擺放
摇摆yáobǎito sway搖擺
摆平bǎipíngto be fair擺平
摆设bǎisheto arrange擺設
摆动bǎidòngto sway擺動
摆弄to fiddle with擺弄
摆布to arrange擺布
摇摆舞swing (dance)搖擺舞
摆手to wave one's hand擺手
明摆着evident明擺著
摆摊to set up a vendor's stall in the street擺攤
摇摆不定indecisive搖擺不定
下摆hem of a skirt下擺
摆渡ferry擺渡
大摇大摆to strut大搖大擺
停摆to be suspended停擺
摆架子to put on airs擺架子
钟摆pendulum鐘擺
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 摆 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 摆

Some common phrases that include 摆 (bǎi) are '摆设' (baǐshè), which means decor or arrangement, and '摆摊' (bǎitān), meaning to set up a stall. These phrases illustrate how the character can be applied in everyday situations, enhancing your vocabulary.