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动摇 (dòng yáo) — (verb) to shake, to sway (physically or metaphorically); (adjective) wavering, unstable (of determination, position, etc.)

Definition

Used for things that are shaken or weakened — confidence, belief, resolve, or a position — more often than for literal physical motion. Contrast with 摇摆/摇晃 (physical swaying) and 犹豫不决 (personal indecision).

verb
to shaketo sway (physically or metaphorically)
adjective
waveringunstable (of determination, position, etc.)

Examples

  • ，动摇。
    Fēng hěn dà, shù bèi chuī dé dòng yáo le.
    The wind is strong, the trees are being shaken.
  • 动摇。
    Zhè cì shì gù dòng yáo le rén men duì ān quán de xìn xīn.
    This accident shook people's confidence in safety.
  • 动摇，。
    Tā de tài dù hěn dòng yáo, bù zhī dào zhī chí nǎ yì biān.
    His attitude is wavering; he doesn't know which side to support.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

动dòngmove
摇yáoshake

动 (move) and 摇 (shake) combine to mean shaking or wavering.

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.

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 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 摇 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Change & Process

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