A2 Collocation Neutre 2 min de lecture

挥手

To wave hand

Littéralement: 挥 (huī - to wave/brandish) 手 (shǒu - hand)

Use `挥手` to describe the physical act of waving hello or goodbye from a distance.

En 15 secondes

  • A neutral term for waving your hand to greet or depart.
  • Commonly used with the preposition '向' (towards) to indicate the recipient.
  • Versatile for both casual friends and polite professional settings.

Signification

It literally means moving your hand back and forth to say hello or goodbye. It is the universal gesture for 'hi' or 'bye-bye' in Chinese culture.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Seeing a friend at the park

我向朋友挥手打招呼。

I waved to my friend to say hello.

🤝
2

Saying goodbye at the airport

他在登机前向我们挥手告别。

He waved goodbye to us before boarding.

💭
3

A celebrity leaving a stage

歌手向热情的粉丝们挥手。

The singer waved to the enthusiastic fans.

💼
🌍

Contexte culturel

While waving is universal, in China, waving 'goodbye' often involves the palm facing the other person and moving side-to-side. It became the standard greeting as China modernized and moved away from traditional bowing. In literature, it is often used to evoke a sense of nostalgia or a bittersweet parting.

💡

The 'Double' Wave

Using `挥了挥手` instead of just `挥手` makes the action sound more casual and natural in conversation.

⚠️

Don't Overdo It

In very formal business meetings, a slight nod is often more professional than a big wave.

En 15 secondes

  • A neutral term for waving your hand to greet or depart.
  • Commonly used with the preposition '向' (towards) to indicate the recipient.
  • Versatile for both casual friends and polite professional settings.

What It Means

挥手 is the most common way to describe waving your hand. It is simple, physical, and very visual. You use it when you see someone across the street. You also use it when seeing a friend off at the airport. It captures that motion of movement and connection.

How To Use It

In a sentence, you usually say 向 [person] 挥手. This means 'wave toward [person]'. You can add adverbs to show your mood. For example, 开心地挥手 means waving happily. It works as a verb phrase in almost any basic sentence structure. It is a great 'action' word for storytelling too.

When To Use It

Use it whenever there is a physical distance between you and someone else. It is perfect for saying goodbye at a train station. It is great for catching a waiter's attention (politely!). You will see it in books to describe a character's warm greeting. It is also used when someone is leaving a stage or a podium.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it if you are standing right next to someone. That would be a bit awkward and confusing! Also, avoid using it in very stiff, high-level business negotiations. In those cases, a nod or a handshake is much better. It is a bit too 'active' for a funeral or very somber events. Use your best judgment based on the energy of the room.

Cultural Background

In China, waving is very common, but the style matters. A small, quick wave is for friends. A big, overhead wave is for someone far away. Historically, Chinese greetings involved bowing or clasping hands. The modern wave is a global influence that everyone adopted. It is now the standard 'casual' signal across all of China.

Common Variations

If you want to say goodbye specifically, you might say 挥手告别. This sounds a bit more poetic or formal. If you are waving a flag instead of a hand, you use 挥舞. For a very cute, repetitive wave, some might just say 招招手. Each one changes the 'vibe' of the movement slightly. Stick to 挥手 for your everyday needs!

Notes d'usage

It is a neutral, versatile term. Remember to use the preposition `向` (towards) to show who you are waving at.

💡

The 'Double' Wave

Using `挥了挥手` instead of just `挥手` makes the action sound more casual and natural in conversation.

⚠️

Don't Overdo It

In very formal business meetings, a slight nod is often more professional than a big wave.

💬

The Palm Direction

In China, waving 'come here' is often done with the palm facing down, which can look like waving 'go away' to Westerners!

Exemples

6
#1 Seeing a friend at the park
🤝

我向朋友挥手打招呼。

I waved to my friend to say hello.

A very standard way to describe a greeting.

#2 Saying goodbye at the airport
💭

他在登机前向我们挥手告别。

He waved goodbye to us before boarding.

Using '告别' makes the goodbye feel more significant.

#3 A celebrity leaving a stage
💼

歌手向热情的粉丝们挥手。

The singer waved to the enthusiastic fans.

Shows a public figure acknowledging a crowd.

#4 Trying to get a taxi
😊

我向出租车挥了挥手,但它没停。

I waved at the taxi, but it didn't stop.

The '挥了挥' structure implies a brief, repeated action.

#5 A humorous misunderstanding
😄

我以为他在跟我挥手,结果他在擦窗户。

I thought he was waving at me, but he was cleaning the window.

A classic awkward social moment.

#6 A formal ceremony
👔

领导向台下的观众亲切挥手。

The leader waved kindly to the audience below.

Used to describe a formal yet warm gesture.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence.

他___我挥了挥手。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

In Chinese, you wave 'towards' (向) someone.

Select the best verb to describe saying goodbye with a hand gesture.

我们在门口___告别。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 挥手

'挥手告别' is the standard phrase for waving goodbye.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of Waving

Casual

Waving to a classmate

嘿!(Waves)

Neutral

Waving to a neighbor

向邻居挥手

Formal

A public figure waving to a crowd

向观众挥手

When to 挥手

挥手
🚶

At a distance

Across the street

🚂

Departures

Train station

👋

Greetings

Seeing a friend

🚕

Attracting attention

Calling a cab

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is used for both hello and goodbye. You can say 挥手打招呼 for hello and 挥手告别 for goodbye.

Usually, 挥舞 (huīwǔ) is better for flags. 挥手 specifically refers to the hand itself.

Yes, a small 挥手 is a common way to get attention. Just don't be too aggressive about it!

挥手 is a general wave, while 招手 (zhāoshǒu) often implies beckoning someone to come closer.

Not really. 挥手 describes a physical action. In an email, use words like 问候 (wènhòu) for greetings.

You can say 回礼 (huílǐ) or more simply 也向他挥了挥手 (also waved back at him).

Not exactly slang, but people often use the English 'Bye-bye' while waving in casual settings.

Yes! That would be 挥动双手, which usually shows great excitement or urgency.

No, you can add adverbs like 飞快地 (quickly) or 轻轻地 (lightly) to describe the speed.

Generally no, unless you are trying to get their attention for help or signaling a driver.

Expressions liées

招手 (Beckon/Wave over)

握手 (Handshake)

点头 (Nod)

告别 (To say goodbye)

打招呼 (To greet someone)

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