waver and confuse; mislead; unsettle
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to waver and be confused; to be shaken and perplexed
literaryIntransitive usage, often describing people's minds, hearts, or public sentiment being unsettled or divided.
Rén人
xīn心
yáo摇
huò惑
，
bù不
zhī知
suǒ所
cóng从
。
The people's hearts were wavering and confused, not knowing whom to follow.
Zhòng众
xīn心
yáo摇
huò惑
，
jūn军
xīn心
dòng动
yáo摇
。
The hearts of the masses were unsettled, and military morale was shaken.
verb
to shake and confuse; to mislead; to befuddle; to manipulate
Transitive usage, often used with objects like '人心' (people's hearts/minds) or '视听' (what is seen and heard). Carries a negative connotation of deliberate deception.
Yáo摇
huò惑
rén人
xīn心
To mislead the public; to confuse people's minds.
Yáo摇
huò惑
shì视
tīng听
To confuse what is seen and heard; to mislead the public through deception.
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Jiān奸
chén臣
yáo摇
huò惑
zhǔ主
shàng上
，
xiàn陷
hài害
zhōng忠
liáng良
。
The treacherous official misled the sovereign and framed loyal ministers.