摇摇晃晃 (yáo yáo huàng huàng) — tottering; swaying; unsteady (in movement or stability)
Definition
Reduplicated adverb describing unsteady, wobbly movement — a person walking as if about to fall, or something swaying unstably. Often modifies a verb (走, 站, 挂) or appears before 的 to describe a state.
bound form
totteringswayingunsteady (in movement or stability)
Examples
- ，摇摇晃晃。Tā hē zuì le, zǒu lù yáo yáo huàng huàng de.He got drunk and walked tottering.
- ，摇摇晃晃。Fēng hěn dà, shù bèi chuī dé yáo yáo huàng huàng.The wind is strong, and the trees are swaying unsteadily.
- 摇摇晃晃，。Nà zuò lǎo fáng zi kàn qǐ lái yáo yáo huàng huàng de, hěn wēi xiǎn.That old house looks unsteady and is very dangerous.
Origin
Reduplicated word构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication
A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.
The repeated '摇' and '晃' both suggest swaying, painting an unsteady tottering motion.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.