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March 24, 2026
激动(激動)jīdòng(ji1dong4)
激动 (jī dòng) means to be emotionally stirred or excited. It is often used in contexts where someone experiences strong feelings, such as joy, anger, or surprise. The term can describe both positive and negative emotional states and is commonly used in conversations about events or situations that provoke a strong reaction.
Frequency#1357DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions openly can be seen as both positive and negative, depending on the context. For instance, during significant events like weddings or graduations, people often feel 激动 and express their happiness openly.
Memory Tip
Think of 激动 as a 'giant dong' that shakes you up! The radical 激 (jī) suggests 'stirring up' and 动 (dòng) means 'to move,' so imagine a giant bell ringing (激) and making you move (动) with excitement.
Meanings of 激动
jīdòng(ji1dong4)
1to move emotionally
2to stir up (emotions)
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About 激动
激动Simplified
激動Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1357Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 激动
Podcast: 激动
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AI Study Notes for 激动
Quick Contrast
兴奋 (xīngfèn) - use 激动 (jīdòng) when describing a more intense or tumultuous emotional state, while 兴奋 (xīngfèn) typically refers to a lighter, more positive excitement.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 激动 as a 'giant dong' that shakes you up! The radical 激 (jī) suggests 'stirring up' and 动 (dòng) means 'to move,' so imagine a giant bell ringing (激) and making you move (动) with excitement.
Usage Notes
When using 激动, be mindful of the context; it can imply both excitement and agitation, so choose your words carefully. Common collocations include '激动人心' (exciting) and '激动得哭' (crying from excitement). It's also important to use the correct tones, as mispronouncing 激 (jī) as 'ji' can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, 激动 connects with other emotional vocabulary like 感动 (gǎn dòng, to be moved) and 兴奋 (xīng fèn, excited). Focus on distinguishing between these terms and their specific emotional connotations to enhance your expressive abilities.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions openly can be seen as both positive and negative, depending on the context. For instance, during significant events like weddings or graduations, people often feel 激动 and express their happiness openly.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 激动 with 兴奋 (xīng fèn), thinking they are interchangeable; however, 兴奋 is purely positive excitement, while 激动 can carry a mix of emotions. For example, saying '我很兴奋' (wǒ hěn xīng fèn) is correct for excitement, but using 激动 can imply a more complex emotional state.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 激动
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Grammar Patterns of 激动
激动 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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Cultural Notes for 激动
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions openly can be seen as both positive and negative, depending on the context. For instance, during significant events like weddings or graduations, people often feel 激动 and express their happiness openly.
Frequently Asked Questions about 激动
Yes, 激动 can refer to being emotionally stirred in both positive and negative contexts, including anger.
Typically, yes. 激动 implies a notable level of emotional intensity, whether it is excitement or agitation.
You can say '我很激动' (wǒ hěn jī dòng), meaning 'I am very excited,' to express your feelings.
