Definition
抖 (dǒu) is a versatile verb meaning 'to tremble/shake' (from cold, fear, etc.) or 'to shake out' (dust, dirt). Unlike 发抖 (fā dǒu) and 哆嗦 (duō suo), which focus on involuntary trembling, 抖 can also be transitive (抖掉灰尘). 颤抖 (chàn dǒu) is more formal/literary. Additionally, 抖 has a colloquial sense of 'showing off' when used with 起来.
verb
to trembleto shake (from cold, fear, etc.)to shake out (dust, dirt, etc.)(colloquial) to become successfulto show off (used with 起来)
Easily confused
- 料liàolook-alikematerial; stuff (used in making things)
- 都dōusound-alike(adverb) all, both (indicates totality)
- 科kēlook-alike(noun) subject, discipline, field of study
- 斗dòusound-aliketo fight (physically, verbally, or psychologically)
- 逗dòusound-alike(verb) to tease playfully; to entice
- 兜dōusound-alike(noun) pocket; small bag (as in clothing or accessories)
- 陡dǒusound-alikesteep, precipitous
Examples
- 抖。Tā lěng de shēntǐ zhí dǒu.He was so cold that his body kept trembling.
- 抖。Bǎ dìtǎn shàng de huī dǒu gānjìng.Shake the dust off the carpet.
- 抖，。Tā zuìjìn dǒu qǐlai le, mǎi le xīn chē.He's made it big recently and bought a new car.
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