Meaning
舞 means 'to dance' or 'dance' as a noun. It can refer to any form of dancing, from traditional Chinese dance to modern styles. The character also has an extended meaning of 'to brandish' or 'wave' (like waving a flag or wielding a weapon), though this usage is less common in everyday speech.
Usage
舞 is commonly used in compounds related to dancing, such as 跳舞 (tiào wǔ, to dance) and 舞蹈 (wǔ dǎo, dance as an art form). When used alone as a verb, it's more literary or formal. In everyday conversation, people typically say 跳舞 rather than just 舞. The character appears in many dance-related terms and can describe both the action and the art form.
Examples
- 01她从小就喜欢跳舞，现在是专业的舞蹈演员。, .She has loved dancing since childhood and is now a professional dancer.
- 02雪花在空中飞舞，很美。, .Snowflakes are dancing in the air, it's beautiful.
Measure words
- 支一支舞
- 场一场舞
Common collocations
- 跳舞to dance
- 舞会dance party, ball
- 舞伴dance partner
- 飞舞to flutter, to dance in the air
Origin
The oracle bone script form of 舞 depicts a person with long sleeves dancing, with decorative elements suggesting flowing movements. The character has retained its meaning of dance throughout Chinese history.