zin3顫颤
Jyutpingzin3
Yalejin
Definition
To tremble, shiver, or shake.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Focus on involuntary physical reactions rather than intentional movements. It is frequently paired with the aspect marker 晒 to emphasize that the entire body or a specific part is affected by the shaking. While it describes physical tremors, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a voice trembling due to intense fear or excitement.
Examples
Why is your hand shaking so much?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 震, which is more commonly used for external vibrations like earthquakes or loud bass. 顫 specifically highlights the internal, involuntary quivering of a person or a body part.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
