拨打 bōdǎ to call
to call; to dial
How to remember 拨打: 拨 to stir + 打 hit = to call.
Characters
How it is used
- To dial/call a phone number - 拨打电话 (bōdǎ diànhuà) place a call; 拨打110 dial 110.
- Formal/written, the phrase you hear in recorded messages and see on signs. Everyday speech just uses 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà).
- 拨 (bō) originally 'to turn/dial' (from rotary phones). 拨打 takes a number/hotline as object.
Example sentences
- 这部手机可以拨打国际电话。 Zhè bù shǒujī kěyǐ bōdǎ guójì diànhuà.This cell phone can make international calls.