Definitions

dàng (verb) to sway; to swing; to shake
dàng (verb) to wash away; to sweep away
dàng (adjective) dissolute; unrestrained
dàng (noun) pond

Etymology

Hot water  wiping out plant life  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character '荡', traditionally written as '蕩', derives from an etymological composition where the grass radical '艹' atop the component '湯' evokes the idea of water flowing over vegetation, initially conveying meanings associated with washing or cleansing. As the character's usage developed, it acquired connotations of motion, specifically swaying or rocking, akin to the movement of water, which later extended to signify wandering or roaming in a manner devoid of direction. Further semantic shifts incorporated senses of purging or eliminating, evident in phrases like '荡涤', and even came to describe something that is level or flat. The simplified form '荡' replaces the grass radical with the water radical '氵' and uses '汤' as a phonetic element, maintaining a connection to aquatic imagery while streamlining the character's structure.

Example Sentences Hide

我们在公园秋千。

Wǒmen zài gōngyuán dàng qiūqiān.

We are swinging on the swing in the park.

湖面漾着微波。

Húmiàn dàngyàng zhe wēi bō.

The lake surface is rippling with tiny waves.

他们在湖上舟。

Tāmen zài hú shàng dàng zhōu.

They are rowing a boat on the lake.

旗帜在风中飘

Qízhì zài fēng zhōng piāodàng.

The flag is fluttering in the wind.

雨水涤了街道的灰尘。

Yǔshuǐ dàngdí le jiēdào de huīchén.

The rain washed away the dust from the streets.

那个地区的局势一直动不安。

Nàgè dìqū de júshì yīzhí dòngdàng bù'ān.

The situation in that region has been turbulent and unstable.

政府军扫了叛乱分子的营地。

Zhèngfǔjūn sǎodàng le pànluàn fènzǐ de yíngdì.

The government forces mopped up the rebels' camp.

她的歌声在夜空中回

Tā de gēshēng zài yèkōng zhōng huídàng.

Her singing voice echoed in the night sky.