波澜 bōlán billows
billows; great waves (figuratively of a story with great momentum)
How to remember 波澜: 波 waves + 澜 big waves = billows.
Characters
How it is used
- Literally big waves, but used mostly figuratively for stirring ups and downs - 波澜起伏 (bōlán qǐfú) full of dramatic turns.
- Famous in 波澜壮阔 (bōlán zhuàngkuò) 'grand and majestic' (of a scene, era, or endeavor) and 心中泛起波澜 (an emotional stir in the heart).
- Literary register; contrast plain 波浪: 波澜is about emotional/narrative momentum, not real seawater.