舞 (wǔ) - Dance — to move rhythmically to music, typically & to wield, brandish, or flourish something

舞Tone 3

wǔ ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

舞 · wǔ

Dance — to move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps;

to wield, brandish, or flourish something;

to play with or manipulate.

Dance — to move rhythmically to music, typicallyto wield, brandish, or flourish somethingto play with or manipulate.

Usage highlights

To danceDancerDance performanceSword danceLion danceDragon dance

Synonyms

  • 蹈— to tread, to step in a dance
  • 翩跹— to dance lightly, to flutter

Antonyms

  • 静— still, quiet, motionless
  • 止— to stop, to cease movement

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She loves to dance (跳舞).
  • The dancer performed a sword dance (剑舞).
  • He is skilled at lion dancing (舞狮).
  • The dragon dance is a festive tradition (舞龙).

Collocations

  • To dance(跳舞)
  • Dancer(舞者)
  • Dance performance(舞蹈表演)
  • Sword dance(剑舞)
  • Lion dance(舞狮)
  • Dragon dance(舞龙)

Idioms

  • Brandishing the writing brush as if wielding a spear(笔歌墨舞)
  • Singing and dancing, a scene of peace and prosperity(歌舞升平)
  • To be overjoyed and dance with delight(手舞足蹈)
  • To add flowers to brocade — to embellish the embellished(锦上添花，舞文弄墨)
  • To engage in malpractices for selfish ends(徇私舞弊)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Dance has a long history in Chinese culture, from ancient ritual dances to folk performances like the lion and dragon dances.
  • The character 舞 appears in many classical texts and is associated with both artistic expression and martial movement.
  • In traditional thought, dance was seen as a way to harmonize the body and spirit, and was an integral part of court ceremonies and folk festivals.

FAQ