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动荡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
动荡dòngdàng>动荡[dòng dàng]HSK 7, v, rank #18604, Hard
动荡dòngdàngunrest (social or political)HSK 7, v, rank #18604, Hard
动荡dòngdàngturmoilHSK 7, v, rank #18604, Hard
动荡dòngdàngupheavalHSK 7, v, rank #18604, Hard
动荡dòngdàngcommotionHSK 7, v, rank #18604, Hard
dòngdàng(dong4dang4) T4
  1. 1>动荡[dòng dàng]
  2. 2unrest (social or political)
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March 24, 2026
动荡(動盪)dòngdàng(dong4dang4)

动荡 (dòng dàng) refers to a state of unrest or turmoil, often associated with social or political upheaval. It conveys a sense of instability and disruption, commonly used in discussions about societal changes, protests, or crises. The term can also describe personal emotional turmoil, though it is more frequently used in a broader societal context.

Frequency#18604DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of 动荡 is particularly relevant in the context of Chinese history, where periods of political upheaval, such as the Cultural Revolution, have significantly shaped modern society. It reflects the delicate balance between stability and change in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'dancing storm' where everything is in chaos; the '动' (dòng) sounds like 'dong' which can remind you of a bell tolling amidst the commotion, while '荡' (dàng) evokes the image of waves rolling over each other, symbolizing unrest.

Meanings of 动荡

dòngdàng(dong4dang4)
1unrest (social or political)
2turmoil
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About 动荡

动荡Simplified
動盪Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#18604Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 动荡

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Podcast: 动荡

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AI Study Notes for 动荡

Quick Contrast

动乱 (dòngluàn) - use 动荡 (dòngdàng) for a broader sense of instability or unrest, while 动乱 (dòngluàn) emphasizes chaotic disorder.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'dancing storm' where everything is in chaos; the '动' (dòng) sounds like 'dong' which can remind you of a bell tolling amidst the commotion, while '荡' (dàng) evokes the image of waves rolling over each other, symbolizing unrest.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 动荡 with other terms that imply stability or peace, as they are antonyms. This word is often used in formal contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions. Common collocations include '社会动荡' (social unrest) and '政治动荡' (political turmoil).

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 6, students should focus on using 动荡 in complex sentences to express nuanced ideas about societal issues. This word is related to other terms like '稳定' (wěn dìng, stability) and '改革' (gǎi gé, reform), which are also crucial for understanding social dynamics.

Cultural Note

The concept of 动荡 is particularly relevant in the context of Chinese history, where periods of political upheaval, such as the Cultural Revolution, have significantly shaped modern society. It reflects the delicate balance between stability and change in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 动荡 with 平静 (píng jìng, calm), thinking they can use them interchangeably. Remember, 动荡 indicates a lack of calm or stability, not the presence of it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 动荡

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Component Characters

动dòngto use
HSK 26 strokes力
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荡dàngto wash
9 strokes艹
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Write 动荡

动
荡

Practice writing 动荡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 动荡

动荡 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 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

荷兰盾在外汇交易市场的____中保持坚挺。

During the turmoil in the foreign-exchange markets the guilder remained strong.

Example Sentences for 动荡 (3)

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1
荷兰盾在外汇交易市场的动荡中保持坚挺。

hé lán dùn zài wài huì jiāo yì shì cháng de dòng dàng zhōng bǎo chí jiān tǐng。

During the turmoil in the foreign-exchange markets the guilder remained strong.
2
目前局势动荡不定，有武装士兵在街道上警戒。

mù qián jú shì dòng dàng bù dìng， ， yǒu wǔ zhuāng shì bīng zài jiē dào shàng jǐng。

Armed soldiers guard the streets in this volatile atmosphere.
3
可能会有更大的动荡，不过我想也不必夸大问题。

kě néng huì yǒu gēng dà de dòng dàng， ， bù guò wǒ xiǎng yě bù bì kuā dà wèn。

There could be more unrest, but I wouldn't exaggerate the problems.

Cultural Notes for 动荡

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 动荡 is particularly relevant in the context of Chinese history, where periods of political upheaval, such as the Cultural Revolution, have significantly shaped modern society. It reflects the delicate balance between stability and change in Chinese culture.

Frequently Asked Questions about 动荡

动荡 specifically refers to unrest or turmoil, while 变化 (biàn huà) means change in a more neutral sense.