apt to; frequently; at the slightest provocation
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadverb
apt to; easily; frequently; at the slightest provocation
informalAlmost always paired with '就 (jiù)' to form the pattern '动不动就...', which expresses annoyance or criticism about something happening too easily or too often. Used for negative or undesirable actions/situations.
Tā他
dòng动
bu不
dòng动
jiù就
fā发
pí脾
qì气
，
hěn很
nán难
xiāng相
chǔ处
。
He loses his temper at the drop of a hat; he's very difficult to get along with.
Zhè这
hái孩
zi子
shēn身
tǐ体
ruò弱
，
dòng动
bu不
dòng动
jiù就
gǎn感
mào冒
。
This child has a weak constitution and catches colds easily.
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Lǎo老
bǎn板
dòng动
bu不
dòng动
jiù就
jiā加
bān班
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
hěn很
yǒu有
yì意
jiàn见
。
The boss makes us work overtime on the slightest whim; everyone is very unhappy about it.
Bié别
dòng动
bu不
dòng动
jiù就
tí提
fēn分
shǒu手
，
yǒu有
huà话
hǎo好
hǎo好
shuō说
。
Don't be so quick to bring up breaking up; let's talk things over properly.