波澜

bō lán

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Noun Rare

Definitions

1. billows
2. great waves (fig. of a story with great momentum)

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 平静 píng jìng 平静 píng jìng tranquil 波澜 means billows or great waves; 平静 means calm, tranquil—opposite in terms of disturbance.: tranquil

Related words

2 items

• 波动 bō dòng 波动 bō dòng to undulate 波动 means fluctuation or undulation, related to wave motion, often used figuratively for instability.: to undulate
• 涟漪 lián yī 涟漪 lián yī ripple 涟漪 refers to ripples or small waves on water, a lighter alternative to 波澜.: ripple

Synonyms

1 item

• 波浪 bō làng 波浪 bō làng wave When referring to waves on water, both are used, but 波澜 often implies large, surging waves or metaphorical momentum.: wave

Usage notes

Collocations

Common collocations: 波澜壮阔 (surge high and sweep forward; grandiose), 激起波澜 (to stir up great waves or a storm of emotions). These are fixed phrases with figurative weight.

Common mistakes

波澜 is a relatively formal word and rarely used in casual conversation; do not say 今天海边有波澜 (waves at the beach) as it sounds literary and exaggerated. Use 波浪 instead.

Example Sentences

1 shown

海面上掀起了巨大的 波澜 。

Great billows surged on the surface of the sea.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 波澜

• 波澜壮阔 波澜壮阔 bō lán zhuàng kuò: surging forward with great momentum
• 波澜老成 波澜老成 bō lán lǎo chéng: splendid and powerful (of story)
• 波澜起伏 波澜起伏 bō lán qǐ fú: one climax follows another (of thrilling story)

Child Words of 波澜

• 波 波 bō: Poland
• 澜 澜 lán: swelling water