Meaning and Usage
The character 震 (zhèn) primarily means 'to shake' or 'to tremble,' often used to describe physical shaking such as an earthquake or a trembling voice. It can also convey a strong emotional impact or shock.
Common Collocations
Usage Notes
When used to describe natural phenomena like earthquakes, 震 emphasizes the physical shaking. In emotional contexts, it often describes trembling caused by fear, nervousness, or shock. It is more formal and literary compared to similar verbs like 抖 (dǒu) which also means 'to shake' but is more colloquial.
Common Confusions
Do not confuse 震 with 震惊 (zhènjīng), which means 'to be shocked' emotionally; 震 alone focuses on the physical or metaphorical shaking aspect.