Chinese word

动摇

Pronunciation

Pinyindòng yáo

Meaning

  • verbbe shaken

Example

他听到消息后，心里很动摇。tā tīng dào xiāo xī hòu xīn lǐ hěn dòng yáo

After hearing the news, he felt very shaken.

Illustration for 动摇 (be shaken)

More examples

新证据让他的态度开始动摇。xīn zhèng jù ràng tā de tài dù kāi shǐ dòng yáo

New evidence made his attitude start to waver.

Core concept

Firm resolve shifts when inner concerns or outside influence pull it in different directions.

Common phrases

  • 使人动摇shǐ rén dòng yáo

    make people waver

  • 动摇信心dòng yáo xìn xīn

    undermine confidence

Similar words

犹豫yóu yù: Be unable to make a decision and delay taking action.
迟疑chí yí: Hesitate about a choice or action and not decide at once.

Definition in Chinese

因顾虑或外界影响在决定或态度上发生摇摆，表现为不坚定或改变倾向。yīn gù lǜ huò wài jiè yíng xiǎng zài jué dìng huò tài dù shàng fā shēng yáo bǎi biǎo xiàn wèi bù jiān dìng huò gǎi biàn qīng xiàng

Word origin

The character 动 (dòng, "move") suggests change, while 摇 (yáo, "shake") adds the sense of a stance losing steadiness.

Usage tips

  • English often describes a person as shaken, while Chinese also readily uses this verb for a decision, attitude, or resolve that no longer stays firm.

Other meanings

  • waververb
  • hesitateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 动摇不定dòng yáo bú dìngbe indecisiveidiom

Word lists with this word