震 (zhèn) - To shake, to quake, to tremble & thunderclap

震Tone 4

zhèn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

震 · zhèn

To shake, to quake, to tremble;

thunderclap;

shock;

to be greatly excited or alarmed.

To shake, to quake, to tremblethunderclapshock

Usage highlights

EarthquakeTo shock, to astonishTo tremble with fearSeismic waveThunderclapTo be shaken, to be moved

Synonyms

  • 动— to move, to shake
  • 抖— to tremble, to shake
  • 惊— to startle, to shock

Antonyms

  • 静— still, quiet, calm
  • 稳— stable, steady

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The earthquake shook the entire city (地震).
  • The news shocked everyone (震惊).
  • The thunder roared (雷声震耳).
  • He was a prominent political figure (政坛震旦).

Collocations

  • Earthquake(地震)
  • To shock, to astonish(震惊)
  • To tremble with fear(震怖)
  • Seismic wave(震波)
  • Thunderclap(震雷)
  • To be shaken, to be moved(震动)

Idioms

  • To shake the heavens and earth(震天动地)
  • A name that shakes the world(名震天下)
  • To be frightened out of one's wits(惊魂震魄)
  • A thunderclap from a clear sky(晴天霹雳震)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese cosmology, thunder (震) is associated with the East, Spring, and the Wood element, representing awakening and dynamic force.
  • The character is the name of the 51st hexagram in the I Ching (Book of Changes), symbolizing shock, thunder, and movement.
  • It carries connotations of both destructive power (as in earthquakes) and authoritative, awe-inspiring influence.

FAQ