蠢蠢欲动

蠢蠢欲動
chǔnchǔn-yùdòng
idiom #18,266

Meanings

  1. 1 to begin to stir
  2. 2 to get restless
  3. 3 to be raring to go
  4. 4 to become threatening

Examples

HSK 6
Chūntiān lái le, wànwù chǔnchǔn-yùdòng.
Spring has come, and all things begin to stir.
HSK 7-9
Díjūn chǔnchǔn-yùdòng, wǒmen bìxū jiāqiáng fángbèi.
The enemy forces are getting restless; we must strengthen our defenses.

Tips

memory
蠢蠢 (wriggling, like insects) + 欲动 (about to move) - picture insects wriggling under the soil, ready to emerge. Something is stirring and about to burst into action.
usage
Can be positive (spring awakening, eager anticipation) or negative (enemies preparing to attack, troublemakers getting restless). Context determines the tone.

Stroke Order

chǔn
dòng