波动 bōdòng to undulate
to undulate; to fluctuate; wave motion; rise and fall
How to remember 波动: 波 waves + 动 move = to undulate.
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How it is used
- Means to fluctuate / rise and fall - 价格波动 (jiàgé bōdòng) price fluctuations; 情绪波动 (qíngxù bōdòng) mood swings.
- Emphasizes back-and-forth, up-and-down variation, not a steady change; common in finance, data, and emotions.
- Contrast 变化 (biànhuà), a neutral 'change'; 波动 specifically implies wavering, unstable movement.