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振动 (zhèn dòng) — to vibrate, to shake

Definition

Technical/physical sense of vibration (a string, engine, machine). Compared with 震动 and 震荡, 振动 is neutral and physical; 震动 adds emotional/social impact, 震荡 leans figurative (markets, society).

verb
to vibrateto shake
Easily confused

Examples

  • 振动。
    Shǒu jī zài zhuō shàng bù tíng dì zhèn dòng.
    The phone keeps vibrating on the table.
  • 振动。
    Tán jí tā shí qín xián huì zhèn dòng.
    When playing the guitar, the strings vibrate.
  • 振动。
    Fā dòng jī gōng zuò shí zhèn dòng dé hěn lì hài.
    The engine vibrates violently when working.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

振zhènshake
动dòngmovement

振 for shaking and 动 for movement together describe vibration.

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shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
辰
辰chén振zhèn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

振 pairs 手 (hand) with 辰: 手 shows it is about a hand action, and 辰 gives the sound.

Open 振 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 5Physics & Chemistry

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