摇
yao
The English word 'shake' is translated into Chinese as 摇 (yao).
The verb 摇 means to cause something to move or to shake. While the verb refers to the action of shaking, it is also related to the noun 'milkshake', which can be expressed as 雪克 or 奶昔.
Meaning: transitive: to cause to move (verb)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
yao
Did you know?
- The character 摇 is often used in the phrase 摇号, which describes the random lottery system used in cities like Beijing to decide who gets a license plate for a new car.
- In Chinese, 'shaking' a person's hand for a greeting is expressed as 握手, which literally means 'to grasp hands' rather than 'to shake'.
- The term 摇滚 for 'rock and roll' literally translates to 'shake and roll', capturing the physical movement of the music.
Examples in context
- 请不要摇动这个玻璃瓶。 (Qǐng bùyào yáodòng zhège bōlí píng.)Please do not shake this glass bottle.
- 这艘小船正不停地摇晃着。 (Zhè sōu xiǎochuán zhèng bù tíng de yáohuàng zhe.)The small boat is continuously rocking.
- 这个车子太旧了，上坡的时候总是晃。 (Zhège chēzi tài jiù le, shàngpō de shíhòu zǒngshì huàng.)This car is too old, it shakes every time it goes uphill.
- 他生气时嘴唇总是抖个不停。 (Tā shēngqì shí zuǐchún zǒngshì dǒu gè bùtíng.)His lips tremble uncontrollably when he's angry.
- 这个竹篮晃动了一下。 (Zhège zhúlán huàngdòng le yīxià.)The bamboo basket shook a bit.
- 他摇了摇手中的纸巾。Tā yáole yáo shǒuzhōng de zhǐjīn.He shook the tissue in his hand.
- 请摇一摇杯子里的饮料。Qǐng yáo yi yáo bēizi lǐ de yǐnliào.Please shake the drink in the cup.
- 不要摇那棵小树。Búyào yáo nà kē xiǎo shù.Don't shake that small tree.
Example conversation
A girl is preparing a drink at a cafe.
- 浩然 Haoran先把杯子摇一摇。Xiān bǎ bēizi yáo yi yáo.Shake the cup first.
- 梓涵 Zihan这样可以吗？Zhèyàng kěyǐ ma?Is this okay?
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，再多摇几次。Zǐhán, zài duō yáo jǐ cì.Zihan, shake it a few more times.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，我知道了。Hǎo de, wǒ zhīdào le.Okay, I got it.
