抡

• Pinyin: lūn
• Hanzi breakdown: 抡 = 扌(hand radical) + 仑 (phonetic component suggesting circular motion)

Meaning

To swing or brandish (a weapon or heavy tool) in a wide circular or sweeping arc; to wield with force.

Typically used with objects like hammers, axes, fists, or clubs. 抡起 (to raise and swing) is the most common verbal pattern. Implies vigour, force, and wide physical motion. Common in descriptions of manual labour, martial arts, and physical confrontations.

Examples

1. 铁匠抡起大锤，用力砸在烧红的铁块上，迸溅出一串耀眼的火花。 The blacksmith swung a sledgehammer and brought it down hard on the red-hot iron, sending a shower of dazzling sparks flying.
2. 他抡圆了手臂，将那根圆木用力掷向远处，显示出惊人的臂力。 He swung his arm in a full arc and hurled the log into the distance, showing astonishing strength.
3. 工人们抡锄开荒，硬是在坚硬的山地上开辟出了一块块平整的梯田。 The workers swung their hoes to clear new land, carving out level terraces on the hard mountain slopes.

Usage Guide

Context: physical description, labour, martial arts, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 消防员抡起破门斧，奋力劈开被烟熏黑的木门，冲入火场救人。(The firefighter swung the axe with full force, smashing open the smoke-blackened wooden door and rushing into the blaze to rescue people.)
• 他抡起手中的大锤，以迅雷不及掩耳之势将螺栓砸入预定位置。(He swung the sledgehammer with lightning speed and drove the bolt into the designated position.)

Don't Say

• 将抡用于轻柔的挥动动作 — 抡 implies forceful, wide-arc swinging with physical effort; use 挥 for gentle or simple waving/swinging motions (e.g. 挥手 to wave a hand)

Origin & History

抡 = 扌(hand radical) + 仑 (phonetic component) — to swing or whirl something with the hand

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal