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March 24, 2026
发抖(發抖)fādǒu(fa1dou3)
发抖 (fā dǒu) means 'to tremble' or 'to shake,' often used to describe the physical reaction to cold, fear, or excitement. It can refer to involuntary movements of the body, such as shivering when one is cold or shaking due to anxiety.
Frequency#5751DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the expression of emotions through physical reactions like 发抖 can be more pronounced, reflecting the importance of emotional authenticity. For instance, during festivals, people may shiver with excitement while waiting for celebrations to begin.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small dog (发) trembling in the cold (抖), making a sound like 'fah' as it shakes. The character 发 looks like something is bursting out, which can symbolize the sudden shivering response of the body.
Meanings of 发抖
fādǒu(fa1dou3)
1to tremble
2to shake
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About 发抖
发抖Simplified
發抖Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5751Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 发抖
Podcast: 发抖
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AI Study Notes for 发抖
Quick Contrast
颤抖 (chàndǒu) vs 发抖 (fādǒu): use 发抖 for general shaking or trembling, while 颤抖 emphasizes a more intense or quivering shake.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small dog (发) trembling in the cold (抖), making a sound like 'fah' as it shakes. The character 发 looks like something is bursting out, which can symbolize the sudden shivering response of the body.
Usage Notes
发抖 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with the tone; using it inappropriately can sound overly dramatic. A common collocation is '因为寒冷而发抖' (to tremble because of the cold).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 发抖 connects well with other verbs expressing physical actions or emotions, like '哭' (to cry) or '笑' (to laugh). Focus on using it in sentences that describe emotional states or environmental effects on the body.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the expression of emotions through physical reactions like 发抖 can be more pronounced, reflecting the importance of emotional authenticity. For instance, during festivals, people may shiver with excitement while waiting for celebrations to begin.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 发抖 with 颤抖, thinking they are interchangeable, but 颤抖 implies a more severe or intense shaking. For example, saying '我因为害怕发抖' (I tremble because of fear) is correct, while '我因为害怕颤抖' may sound too dramatic for casual contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 发抖
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Grammar Patterns of 发抖
发抖 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Another man constantly chain-smoked and seemed to have the shakes.
10
越快越好, 我浑身发抖. ”
yuè kuài yuè hǎo, , wǒ hún shēn fā.”
The quicker the better -- I'm all in a shiver. "
Cultural Notes for 发抖
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the expression of emotions through physical reactions like 发抖 can be more pronounced, reflecting the importance of emotional authenticity. For instance, during festivals, people may shiver with excitement while waiting for celebrations to begin.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, shivering is often associated solely with cold, while in China, it can also signify fear or intense emotions, highlighting a broader emotional context.
Frequently Asked Questions about 发抖
You can use 发抖 to describe shivering from cold, trembling due to fear, or even shaking with excitement.
发抖 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s more common in conversational language.
Yes, synonyms include '颤抖' (chàn dǒu), which also means to tremble but can imply a more intense shaking.
