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悸动 (jì dòng) — (verb) to palpitate, to throb (of the heart, from nervousness or excitement); (noun) a palpitation, a throb

Definition

Literary verb/noun for a heart that palpitates from emotion (excitement, nervousness, being moved) — not a medical heartbeat. Mostly found in writing rather than everyday speech.

verb
to palpitateto throb (of the heart, from nervousness or excitement)
noun
a palpitationa throb

Examples

  • ，悸动。
    Tā tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi, xīn lǐ yí zhèn jì dòng.
    His heart throbbed when he heard the news.
  • 悸动。
    Tā nèi xīn de jì dòng jiǔ jiǔ bù néng píng fù.
    The throbbing in his heart took a long time to calm down.
  • 悸动。
    Shī gē zhōng nà zhǒng jì dòng rén xīn de lì liàng lìng rén nán wàng.
    The power in the poetry that stirs the heart is unforgettable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

悸jìpalpitate
动dòngmove

悸, a heart throb, and 动, movement, together express nervous palpitation.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
季
季jì悸⁰jì
Same sound today

悸 pairs 忄, a form of 心 (heart), with 季, which gives the sound.

Open 悸 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
重
重zhòng動dòng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Open 动 →
Appears in
Emotions & FeelingsOrgans & Anatomy

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