jiu4 fong2搖晃摇晃
Jyutpingjiu4 fong2
Yaleyìuh fóng
Definition
To rock, shake, sway, or swing back and forth.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
While 搖晃 is understood in Cantonese, it sounds slightly more formal or descriptive than the common spoken alternatives. Locals usually prefer using descriptive verbs like 揈 or 擺 to express the same action of shaking or swaying. It is often used to describe the physical instability of objects or structures rather than the act of shaking hands or body parts.
Examples
The car is shaking very violently.
Related words
Common phrases
unsteady or shaky
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 搖頭, which specifically refers to shaking the head to signal disagreement. Using 搖晃 to describe a person shaking their head will sound unnatural and overly formal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
