波澜

波瀾

bōlán

noun HSK 7 #25,440

Meanings

1 billows
2 great waves
3 twists and turns (figurative)

Characters

large wave; billow

Examples

这部小说的情节波澜起伏。

Zhè bù xiǎoshuō de qíngjié bōlán qǐfú.

The plot of this novel is full of twists and turns.

他的内心掀起了波澜。

Tā de nèixīn xiānqǐ le bōlán.

Waves of emotion stirred within him.

Tips

usage

Mostly used figuratively. Key collocations: 波澜起伏 (full of ups and downs), 波澜壮阔 (grand and magnificent, like surging waves), 不起波澜 (causing no stir).

Stroke Order

波 bō

澜 lán