揺れる

• Reading: ゆれる
• Romaji: yureru
• Kanji breakdown: 揺 (you/yu) — shake, sway, rock
• Pronunciation: /jɯ.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To shake; to sway; to tremble. Describes oscillating or rocking movement.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. The transitive counterpart is 揺らす (to shake something). Commonly used for earthquakes (地震で揺れる), boats rocking on water, trees swaying in the wind, and emotional wavering (心が揺れる).

Examples

1. 地震で建物が大きく揺れました。 The building shook violently during the earthquake.
2. 船が揺れて少し気持ち悪かったです。 The boat was rocking and I felt a little sick.
3. 風で木の枝が揺れています。 The tree branches are swaying in the wind.

Usage Guide

Context: earthquakes, nature, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From classical Japanese ゆる (to sway). The kanji 揺 combines 扌 (hand radical) and 搖 (shake), depicting the motion of swinging or rocking.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal