Definition
摇摇 is the reduplicated form of the verb 摇 (to shake). Reduplication in Chinese often conveys a continuous, intensified, or descriptive state. 摇摇 is used as an adjective or adverb to describe something that is unsteady, wobbly, or in a constant shaking motion — for example, a shaky bridge or someone standing up unsteadily. You may encounter it in the fixed idiom 摇摇欲坠 (yáo yáo yù zhuì), meaning 'tottering, on the verge of collapse'.
r.f.
shakyunsteady (reduplicative form of 摇, describing a wobbly or trembling state)
Examples
- 摇摇，。Nà zuò jiù qiáo yáo yáo de, hěn wēixiǎn.That old bridge is shaky and very dangerous.
- 摇摇。Tā yáo yáo de cóng yǐzi shàng zhàn qǐlái.He stood up unsteadily from the chair.
- 摇摇，。Zhè zhuōzi yǒudiǎn yáo yáo de, xūyào xiū yíxià.This table is a bit wobbly and needs fixing.
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