Definition
战战兢兢 is a four-character idiom that describes a state of extreme fear, nervousness, or caution — literally 'trembling with fear'. It often describes how someone acts when they are terrified of making a mistake or facing danger. As a set phrase, it can function as a predicate ('someone is trembling with fear') or an adverbial modifier ('to do something cautiously and nervously'). Unlike the literal image of shaking, it's used more broadly for any anxious, hesitant behavior.
r.f.
trembling with fearin a state of extreme fear and nervousnesscautiously and nervouslywith great trepidation
Examples
- ，战战兢兢。Tā zhàn zài lǎobǎn miànqián, zhàn zhàn jīng jīng de bù gǎn shuōhuà.He stood before the boss, trembling with fear and not daring to speak.
- 战战兢兢，。Kǎoshì qián tā zhàn zhàn jīng jīng, shēng pà zìjǐ kǎo bù hǎo.Before the exam he was extremely nervous, afraid he wouldn't do well.
- 战战兢兢，。Wǒ zhàn zhàn jīng jīng de jiē guò nà zhāng jiǎnchá bàogào, shǒu dōu zài dǒu.I took the medical report with great trepidation, my hands trembling.
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