трясти́
trjastíimperfective
To shake in Russian is трясти́ (trjastí).
Meaning: transitive: to cause to move (verb)
Which one should you use?
The default form трясти́ is imperfective, while the form потрясти́ is the perfective aspect, which is used to describe shaking something for a short duration or a completed action of shaking.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
трясти́ is the imperfective aspect, which is used for ongoing or repeated actions of shaking.
How do you pronounce it?
trjastí
Did you know?
- The word потряса́ющий comes from the perfective потрясти́ and means 'stunning' or 'amazing', as if the experience literally shook the person.
- The phrase трясти́ деньги literally means 'to shake money' but is used as a slang term for extorting money or shaking someone down.
- Russian uses the root of трясти́ in the word тря́пка, which means 'rag' or 'cloth', because rags are typically shaken out to remove dust.
Examples in context
- Мы всегда пожимаем руки при встрече.We always shake hands when we meet.
- Рукопожатие важно в российской культуре.Handshake is important in Russian culture.
- Она встряхнула пакетик, чтобы смешать суповой порошок.She shook the packet to mix the soup powder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shake” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
