波 (bō) - wave & ripple

波Tone 1

bō ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 氵

傲不

波 · bō

wave;

ripple;

surge;

used metaphorically for fluctuations, disturbances, or in compounds related to broadcasting and transmission.

waveripplesurge

Usage highlights

wavemicrowavebroadcastsound wavelight wavewave motion

Synonyms

  • 浪— wave, billow
  • 涛— large wave, billow
  • 澜— billows, great waves

Antonyms

  • 静— still, calm
  • 止— stop, cease

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The waves crash against the shore (波浪).
  • There is a ripple in the water (波纹).
  • The radio broadcasts news (广播).
  • Sound travels in waves (声波).

Collocations

  • wave(波浪)
  • microwave(微波)
  • broadcast(广播)
  • sound wave(声波)
  • light wave(光波)
  • wave motion(波动)

Idioms

  • Smooth sailing(一波三折)
  • A ripple on the water(一波未平，一波又起)
  • Waves surging, clouds scudding(波谲云诡)
  • Calm and tranquil(风平波息)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, 'wave' (波) often symbolizes impermanence and the constant flux of life.
  • Used extensively in modern scientific and technological terms, especially in physics and telecommunications.
  • Appears in Buddhist texts as a metaphor for the transient nature of phenomena.

FAQ