Definition
打手势 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to make a gesture' or 'to motion'. The verb 打 and the noun 手势 can split when you need to insert a measure word, duration, or other modifier between them — for example, 打了一个手势 ('made a gesture') or 打过几次手势 ('made gestures a few times'). You cannot put the person you're gesturing to directly after 打手势; instead use a preposition like 向 or 对 before the person, as in 向他打手势 ('gesture to him').
v.o.
to gestureto make a gestureto motion
Examples
- 打手势,。Tā xiàng wǒ dá, ràng wǒ guòqù.He gestured to me to come over.
- 打手势,。Tā dá le yí ge dá, biǎoshì tóngyì.He made a gesture to show agreement.
- 打手势,。Nǐ bié luàn dá, biérén kàn bù dǒng.Don't gesture randomly — others won't understand.
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