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March 24, 2026
哆嗦duōsuo(duo1suo5)
哆嗦 (duōsuō) refers to the involuntary trembling or shivering of the body, often due to cold or fear. It conveys a sense of uncontrollable shaking, typically associated with strong emotions or physical reactions. This word is commonly used in both informal and literary contexts to describe such physical states.
Frequency#27741DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of shivering from fear or cold is often linked to folklore and ghost stories, where characters are depicted as trembling in the presence of spirits. This enhances the dramatic effect in storytelling.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny trembling mouse (哆) that is shivering (嗦) because it's cold. The mouse's body shakes uncontrollably, just like the meaning of the word. The pronunciation 'duo' sounds like 'door,' and you can picture the mouse shivering at the door of a cold house.
Meanings of 哆嗦
duōsuo(duo1suo5)
1to tremble
2to shiver
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 哆嗦
哆嗦Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#27741Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 哆嗦
Podcast: 哆嗦
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AI Study Notes for 哆嗦
Quick Contrast
颤抖 (chàndǒu) - use 哆嗦 when emphasizing involuntary shivering due to cold or fear, while 颤抖 is more general for trembling.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny trembling mouse (哆) that is shivering (嗦) because it's cold. The mouse's body shakes uncontrollably, just like the meaning of the word. The pronunciation 'duo' sounds like 'door,' and you can picture the mouse shivering at the door of a cold house.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 哆嗦 with other terms for shaking, such as 颤抖 (chàndǒu), which can imply a more controlled or gentle shaking. 哆嗦 is typically used in informal settings. Pay attention to the tones; mispronouncing the tones may change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 哆嗦 connects to vocabulary about emotions and physical sensations. Students should focus on understanding its usage in different contexts and practice using it in sentences describing feelings or reactions to stimuli.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of shivering from fear or cold is often linked to folklore and ghost stories, where characters are depicted as trembling in the presence of spirits. This enhances the dramatic effect in storytelling.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mix up 哆嗦 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我感到哆嗦' (I feel tremble) is incorrect; the correct phrase should be '我在哆嗦' (I am shivering).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哆嗦
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Grammar Patterns of 哆嗦
哆嗦 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他手指____着从口袋里取出相机.
With trembling fingers, he removed the camera from his pocket.
With trembling fingers, he removed the camera from his pocket.
2
我只是站在那儿，吓得直哆嗦。
wǒ zhī shì zhàn zài nà ér， ， xià dé zhí duō。
I just stood there quaking with fear.
3
他冻得直哆嗦.
tā dòng dé zhí duō suō.
He was so cold that he kept shivering.
4
冻得他哆嗦开了.
dòng dé tā duō suō kāi le.
He was shivering with cold.
5
火苗窜到了天花板上,我吓得直哆嗦.
huǒ miáo cuàn dào le tiān huā bǎn shàng, , wǒ xià dé zhí duō.
The fire soared to the ceiling and I trembled with fright.
Cultural Notes for 哆嗦
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of shivering from fear or cold is often linked to folklore and ghost stories, where characters are depicted as trembling in the presence of spirits. This enhances the dramatic effect in storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions about 哆嗦
哆嗦 emphasizes uncontrolled shaking often due to extreme cold or fear, while 颤抖 can refer to more controlled or gentle trembling.
It is primarily used in informal contexts, so it is best to avoid it in formal writing or speeches.
You can say '我冷得哆嗦' (I am shivering from the cold) to describe someone shaking due to cold.
