動揺

• Reading: どうよう
• Romaji: douyou
• Kanji breakdown: 動 (dou) — move, motion; 揺 (you) — shake, sway
• Pronunciation: /doː.joː/

Meaning

Disturbance; agitation; shock. Emotional unrest or being shaken by unexpected events.

A noun and suru verb (動揺する, to be shaken/disturbed). Describes both physical shaking and emotional turmoil. Most commonly used for the emotional sense: being rattled by bad news, feeling unsettled by a sudden change. Common patterns: 動揺を隠す (to hide agitation), 動揺する (to be shaken), 心が動揺する (to be emotionally disturbed).

Examples

1. 突然の知らせに動揺を隠せなかった。 I couldn't hide my agitation at the sudden news.
2. 試験の結果を聞いて動揺してしまった。 I was shaken after hearing the exam results.
3. 動揺せずに落ち着いて対応してください。 Please stay calm and respond without getting flustered.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, news, psychology

Tone: tense

Origin & History

Compound of 動 (dou, to move) and 揺 (you, to shake/sway). Together, 'moving and shaking' — the trembling caused by emotional upheaval.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal