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March 24, 2026
颤抖(顫抖)chàndǒu(chan4dou3)
颤抖 (chàn dǒu) refers to the act of shaking or trembling, often due to fear, cold, or intense emotion. It is commonly used in contexts where physical reactions are prompted by strong feelings, such as anxiety or excitement, and can also describe involuntary movements caused by external factors.
Frequency#7693DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, trembling or shuddering often symbolizes deep emotional experiences, such as fear or awe, and is frequently used in poetry to convey the intensity of human feelings.
Memory Tip
Picture a 'chan' (like 'chant') that makes you feel so emotional you start to 'dou' (like 'do') a little shake or shudder. The character 颤 combines the radical for 'sound' with a component that suggests movement, reflecting the shake or tremor associated with intense feelings.
Meanings of 颤抖
chàndǒu(chan4dou3)
1to shudder
2to shiver
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 颤抖
颤抖Simplified
顫抖Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7693Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 颤抖
Podcast: 颤抖
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AI Study Notes for 颤抖
Quick Contrast
颤抖 (chàndǒu) vs 颤动 (chàndòng): use 颤抖 for involuntary shaking due to emotions, while 颤动 refers to a more general shaking or vibrating motion.
Memory Mnemonic
Picture a 'chan' (like 'chant') that makes you feel so emotional you start to 'dou' (like 'do') a little shake or shudder. The character 颤 combines the radical for 'sound' with a component that suggests movement, reflecting the shake or tremor associated with intense feelings.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 颤抖, as it can carry a strong emotional weight. It is typically used in informal situations but can be adapted for formal narratives about feelings or reactions. A common collocation is '颤抖不已' (to tremble non-stop) which emphasizes the intensity of the shaking.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 颤抖 connects with other words expressing emotions and physical reactions. Focus on using it in descriptive writing or speaking, especially in narratives where emotional intensity is involved.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, trembling or shuddering often symbolizes deep emotional experiences, such as fear or awe, and is frequently used in poetry to convey the intensity of human feelings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 颤抖 with similar words like '抖动' (dǒu dòng), which refers more to shaking or jolting without the emotional aspect. For example, saying '我因为冷而抖动' should be corrected to '我因为冷而颤抖' to convey the shivering due to cold.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 颤抖
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Grammar Patterns of 颤抖
颤抖 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 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
她激动得声音____，对他说：“这好像不公平吧。”
Her voice breaking with emotion, she told him: "It doesn't seem fair".
Example Sentences for 颤抖 (10)
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1
她激动得声音颤抖，对他说：“这好像不公平吧。”
tā jī dòng dé shēng yīn chàn dǒu， ， duì tā：“ shuō ：“ zhè hǎo xiàng bù gōng。”
Her voice breaking with emotion, she told him: "It doesn't seem fair".
She clenched her hands in her lap to hide their trembling.
7
矮个的汉子用颤抖的声音说.
ǎi gè de hàn zǐ yòng chàn dǒu de shēng yīn shuō.
The little man's voice was shaky.
8
奥格尔维颤抖地把双手举到头上.
ào gé ěr wéi chàn dǒu dì bǎ shuāng shǒu jǔ dào tóu shàng.
Quaking, Ogilvie raised his hands above his head.
9
她的灵魂在颤抖,但她还是抬起头来.
tā de líng hún zài chàn dǒu, , dàn tā huán shì tái qǐ tóu.
Her soul cringed but she raised her head.
10
他的手臂搀起她时颤抖着, 并扶住了她的头.
tā de shǒu bì chān qǐ tā shí chàn dǒu zháo, , bìng fú zhù le tā de.
His arm trembled as it raised her, and supported her head.
Cultural Notes for 颤抖
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, trembling or shuddering often symbolizes deep emotional experiences, such as fear or awe, and is frequently used in poetry to convey the intensity of human feelings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 颤抖
You would use 颤抖 when describing someone shaking due to fear, cold, or strong emotions, like excitement or anxiety.
颤抖 is generally used in informal contexts but can be appropriate in more serious writing when discussing emotional states.
Yes, 颤抖 can describe physical shivering due to cold, but it often implies an emotional component.
