摇头晃脑

搖頭晃腦

yáotóu-huàngnǎo

idiom #43,171

Meanings

1 to shake and wag one's head
2 to bob one's head pompously (as a scholar reading aloud)
3 head-swaying

Characters

Examples

HSK 2

小孩听到音乐就摇头晃脑。

Xiǎohái tīngdào yīnyuè jiù yáotóu-huàngnǎo.

The kid starts bobbing his head as soon as music plays.

HSK 7-9

他摇头晃脑地背诵古诗。

Tā yáotóu-huàngnǎo de bèisòng gǔshī.

He recited the ancient poem, swaying his head as he went.

Tips

history

Lu Xun in 《二心集》 describes bad translations being read 摇头晃脑, mocking the head-wagging rhythm of scholars savoring their own words.

culture

Classic image of old-style scholars reciting the classics, lost in the sound of their own chanting. Now often slightly mocking - suggests pompous self-enjoyment.

Stroke Order

摇 yáo

头 tóu

晃 huàng

脑 nǎo