轰动

• Pinyin: hōng dòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 轰 = 车 (vehicle) × 3 — three vehicles together, evoking a great rumbling sound; 动 = 重 (heavy) + 力 (power) — to move with force

Meaning

To cause a sensation; to create a major stir; to shake public opinion or society. Describes events, works, or revelations that generate widespread attention and strong reactions.

轰动 collocates with social entities: 轰动全国 (a nationwide sensation), 轰动一时 (a sensation at the time), 轰动社会 (to shake society). The character 轰 evokes the sound of rumbling or explosion, suggesting a reverberant impact. Generally neutral-to-positive when describing cultural or scientific achievements; can be negative when describing scandals. Frequent in journalism, entertainment, and historical commentary.

Examples

1. 这部揭露医疗腐败黑幕的调查纪录片一经播出，立刻轰动全国，引发了社会各界持续强烈的广泛关注。 As soon as this investigative documentary exposing corruption in the medical system aired, it immediately caused a nationwide sensation and sparked intense, sustained attention across society.
2. 那位年轻科学家的研究突破轰动了整个生命科学领域，其创新价值被国内外多家权威学术机构高度肯定。 The young scientist’s breakthrough sent shockwaves through the entire life sciences field, and its innovative value was highly recognized by authoritative academic institutions at home and abroad.
3. 时隔三十年，这位已然隐居多年的知名演员重返银幕的消息再度轰动了整个演艺圈，引发热烈讨论。 Thirty years later, news that the well-known actor—who had been living in seclusion for years—was returning to the screen caused another sensation in the entertainment world and set off heated discussion.

Usage Guide

Context: media, entertainment, events, journalism, public affairs

Tone: excited

Do Say

• 这场汇聚了来自三十多个国家顶尖艺术家的音乐节，堪称本年度最为轰动的国际文化交流盛事之一。(This music festival, which brought together top artists from more than thirty countries, was one of the most sensational international cultural events of the year.)
• 这部小说甫一出版便轰动文坛，首印五十万册一售而空，连续加印数次仍然供不应求，创下出版业纪录。(As soon as the novel was published, it created a sensation in literary circles — the first print run of 500,000 copies sold out immediately, and multiple reprints still couldn't meet demand, setting a publishing industry record.)

Don't Say

• 轰动 for minor events that merely attract some attention — 轰动 implies large-scale societal impact or a major sensation; use 引起关注 or 引人注目 for smaller-scale attention

Origin & History

轰 (loud rumbling noise; explosion; to bombard) + 动 (to move; to stir; to affect emotionally)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal