zhèn
verb #8,155

Meanings

  1. 1 to shake
  2. 2 to vibrate
  3. 3 to rouse

Examples

HSK 5
Shǒujī tiáo chéng zhèndòng móshì.
Set the phone to vibrate mode.
HSK 7-9
Zhège xiāoxi lìngrén zhènfèn.
This news is exciting.

Tips

usage
Common in 振动 (to vibrate) and 振奋 (to inspire).

Components

radical
shǒu
hand (radical form of 手)
Left raise-hand radical anchors in the manual-action family - here a vigorous shaking or raising motion. belongs to the energising-verb cluster with wave, lift, raise. The hand drives the active sense across 振动 vibrate, 振奋 rouse spirits.
phonetic
chén
celestial body; time period
Right supplies the sound - chén drifting to zhèn through regular onset shift. Same phonetic appears in quake (大地震 earthquake), pregnant, lip. itself depicts a clam or stirring tool; in it works purely as the sound-bearer, while the hand carries the active "shaking" meaning.

Stroke Order

zhèn