斡

wò

人 + 斗 + 𠦝

Definitions

wò to turn

Etymology

About

The character 斡 is a phono-semantic compound: the right-side semantic component 斗, a ladle or dipper, implies a turning or scooping motion, while the left-side component 倝 supplies the pronunciation. It originally denoted the handle of a ladle or the turning of a wheel, evoking the physical manipulation of the dipper. Over time, the concrete sense of turning developed into the abstract diplomatic sense of mediation and intervention, as in 斡旋, which means to mediate by figuratively turning things around to reach a resolution or agreement.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在斡旋这场纠纷。

Tā zài wòxuán zhè chǎng jiūfēn.

He is mediating this dispute.

他成功地斡旋了双方。

Tā chénggōng de wòxuán le shuāngfāng.

He successfully mediated between both parties.

政府出面斡旋了这次谈判。

Zhèngfǔ chūmiàn wòxuán le zhè cì tánpàn.

The government intervened to mediate this negotiation.

去年，他斡旋了多起国际争端。

Qùnián, tā wòxuán le duō qǐ guójì zhēngduān.

Last year, he mediated multiple international disputes.

为了和平，他积极斡旋于两国之间。

Wèile hépíng, tā jījí wòxuán yú liǎng guó zhī jiān.

For peace, he actively mediated between the two countries.

如果缺乏斡旋，冲突可能升级。

Rúguǒ quēfá wòxuán, chōngtū kěnéng shēngjí.

If there is a lack of mediation, the conflict may escalate.

联合国代表正在斡旋，以期达成停火协议。

Liánhéguó dàibiǎo zhèngzài wòxuán, yǐ qí dáchéng tínghuǒ xiéyì.

UN representatives are mediating in order to reach a ceasefire agreement.

尽管斡旋过程艰巨，但最终促成了双方的和解。

Jǐnguǎn wòxuán guòchéng jiānjù, dàn zuìzhōng cùchéng le shuāngfāng de héjiě.

Although the mediation process was arduous, it ultimately facilitated reconciliation between both parties.

Related Characters

Component: 人

Component: 斗

Component: 𠦝

斡