摇旗呐喊

搖旗吶喊

yáoqínàhǎn

idiom #42,086

Meanings

1 to wave flags and shout battle cries
2 to cheer someone on loudly; to drum up support for another's cause

Characters

Examples

比赛时啦啦队在场边摇旗呐喊。

Bǐsài shí lālāduì zài chǎng biān yáoqínàhǎn.

During the match the cheer squad waved flags and roared from the sidelines.

他虽然不是主角，却一直为朋友摇旗呐喊。

Tā suīrán bùshì zhǔjué, què yīzhí wèi péngyǒu yáoqínàhǎn.

He wasn't the main player, but he kept cheering his friends on from the side.

Tips

history

From the Yuan zaju 《两世姻缘》 by Qiao Mengfu — 你这般摇旗呐喊，簸土扬沙 ("you're there waving flags and shouting, kicking up dust"). Originally the foot-soldier's role in battle: not fighting, but making noise to back up others.

usage

Often slightly deflating when applied to adults — suggests the person isn't the main actor, just a loud supporter. Neutral to positive when applied to fans/cheerleaders.

Stroke Order

摇 yáo

旗 qí

呐 na

喊 hǎn