sway; rock; shake
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to sway; to rock; to wobble
Describes gentle back-and-forth movement, often intransitive. Commonly used for objects like candlelight, trees, boats, or people walking unsteadily. Often reduplicated as 摇摇晃晃 (AABB pattern) when describing an unsteady manner.
The candlelight swayed gently in the breeze.
The old man stood up unsteadily.
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The small boat rocked from side to side on the water.
verb
to shake (deliberately); to agitate
Implies a deliberate, transitive action to move something back and forth. Often used for mixing liquids (like milk bottles, drinks) or trying to dislodge something. Can be reduplicated as 摇晃摇晃 (ABAB pattern) to indicate a brief, casual action.
Mom shook the milk bottle to feed the baby.
Please shake well before drinking.
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He shook the branch to make the fruit fall down.
Give the bottle a shake and see if there's anything left inside.