挑动 (tiǎo dòng) — to provoke, to incite

Definition

Verb meaning 'to provoke or incite' — used for deliberately stirring up emotions, conflict, or unrest. Often appears in political/媒体 contexts (挑动地区冲突), so it sounds more formal than plain 惹 or 激怒.

verb
to provoketo incite
Easily confused

Examples

  • 挑动。
    Tā gù yì shuō zhè xiē huà lái tiǎo dòng duì fāng de qíng xù.
    He deliberately said these words to provoke the other party's emotions.
  • 挑动。
    Wài bù shì lì qǐ tú tiǎo dòng dì qū chōng tū.
    External forces attempted to incite regional conflict.
  • 挑动，。
    Bú yào bèi yáo yán tiǎo dòng, yào bǎo chí lěng jìng.
    Don't be provoked by rumors; stay calm.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

挑tiāoprovoke
动dòngmove

To 挑 (provoke) until something 动 (moves).

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
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
兆
兆zhào挑tiāo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

挑 has 手, meaning hand, and 兆, which gives the sound.

Open 挑 →

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 →

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