波浪 bōlàng wave
How to remember 波浪: 波 waves + 浪 breaker = wave.
Characters
How it is used
- The everyday word for waves on water - 波浪起伏 (bōlàng qǐfú) the waves rise and fall.
- Neutral in scale (ordinary waves), and used for wave-like shapes: 波浪线 (bōlàng xiàn) a wavy line; 波浪卷 (bōlàng juǎn) wavy hair.
- Bigger, more dramatic waves are 波涛 (bōtāo) or 巨浪 (jùlàng); 波浪 is the general term.