The word "摇摆" is formed through the combination of two individual characters, "摇" (yáo) and "摆" (bǎi), which both independently convey the core idea of motion. "摇" primarily means to shake, rock, or tremble, while "摆" means to swing, oscillate, or arrange by moving back and forth. When joined, they create a single, reinforced concept that vividly depicts a repetitive, unsteady, or oscillating movement, like that of a pendulum, a tree branch in the wind, or even an indecisive mind, with the duality enhancing the sense of dynamic, to-and-fro motion.