摆 (bǎi) - to place & to arrange
摆 · bǎi
to place;
to arrange;
to set up;
to display;
to swing;
to oscillate;
to manipulate;
to show off
to placeto arrangeto set up
Usage highlights
to place/arrangemarket stallto swingto show offto displaypose/posture
Usage & contexts
Examples
- Please place the books on the table (把书摆在桌子上).
- They set up a stall at the market (他们在市场摆摊).
- The pendulum swings back and forth (钟摆在来回摆动).
- He likes to show off his wealth (他喜欢摆阔).
Collocations
- to place/arrange(摆放)
- market stall(摊位)
- to swing(摆动)
- to show off(摆阔)
- to display(摆出)
- pose/posture(摆姿势)
Idioms
- To lay all the cards on the table(摆事实，讲道理)
- To put on airs(摆架子)
- To be at a loss(不知所措)
- To manipulate others(任人摆布)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally meant 'to arrange, to set in order', derived from the hand radical (扌) indicating manual action.
- In market culture, '摆摊' refers to setting up temporary street stalls, a common practice in Chinese markets.
- The character carries connotations of both physical arrangement and social posturing or showing off.