震动

• Pinyin: zhèn dòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 震 = 雨 + 辰 (thunder/shake); 动 = 云 + 力 (move — force of movement)

Meaning

To shake; to vibrate. Also used figuratively to mean causing a significant stir or upheaval in society or a field.

Has both a physical sense (structures vibrating) and a figurative sense (news or events causing a powerful stir). The figurative use is particularly common in journalism and academic writing.

Examples

1. 列车驶过时，附近的建筑物发生了轻微震动。 When the train passed by, the nearby buildings vibrated slightly.
2. 这项重大发现在整个学术界引发了强烈震动。 This major discovery sent shockwaves through the academic community.
3. 一阵沉闷的爆破声震动了方圆数里内的山谷。 A dull blast rumbled through the valley for miles around.

Usage Guide

Context: science, journalism, events

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 爆炸产生的冲击波使周围建筑物发生震动。(The shockwave from the explosion caused surrounding buildings to shake.)
• 他的公开声明在政界引起了不小的震动。(His public statement caused considerable shockwaves in political circles.)

Don't Say

• 我的心在震动 — overly poetic and unusual in standard prose; use 我的心受到了强烈震动 or 我深受震撼 for emotional impact in written contexts

Origin & History

震 (shake/thunder) + 动 (move/stir)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal