摇篮

搖籃

yáolán

noun HSK 7 #10,790

Measure Word

一张摇篮 zhāng

Meanings

1 cradle
2 birthplace; origin (figurative)

Characters

to rock; to sway

Literally 'rocking basket' — the original cradle was simply a basket that you rocked.

Examples

宝宝在摇篮里睡着了。

Bǎobao zài yáolán lǐ shuìzháo le.

The baby fell asleep in the cradle.

黄河是中华文明的摇篮。

Huánghé shì Zhōnghuá wénmíng de yáolán.

The Yellow River is the cradle of Chinese civilization.

Tips

culture

摇篮 is frequently used figuratively for birthplaces of civilizations and movements. The Yellow River (黄河) is called the 'cradle of Chinese civilization,' just as Mesopotamia is called the 'cradle of civilization' in English.

Stroke Order

摇 yáo

篮 lán