Differences between 摆, 放 and 搁 (= to put)

July 15, 2008, 12:28 PM posted in General Discussion

Can one of the experts here please explain the differences between

摆 bǎi,

放 fàng, and

搁 gē ?

All three have the meaning "to put".

Thanks in advance for your answers.

July 16, 2008, 04:21 AM

Hi hanyexuesheng,

放 is "put" in the most general sense

摆 is more "place"/"decorate" - it is more willfully, orderly, as in 摆桌子 (lay the table); also: 摆放

搁 is like 放 but more colloquial (had to ask for that one)

(already tried to post that yesterday, but the mobile site didn't let me)

July 16, 2008, 06:28 AM

Thank you, henning!