---
title: "Dongyao Meaning: 动摇 (dòngyáo) Means “to shake”"
description: "动摇 (traditional 動搖, dòngyáo) means “to shake; to undermine”. Hear its tones, see what 动 and 摇 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dongyao"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 动摇 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

动摇 dòngyáo

## to shake; to undermine

## It can also mean

- to waver; to vacillate

## Its characters

1. 动 dòng to move
2. 摇 yáo to shake

## In a sentence

这件事动摇了大家的信心。 This shook everyone's confidence.

玄德却道：“子龙跟我共患难，心如铁石，绝不是富贵能**动摇**的。

From [单骑救主 · Zhao Yun Rides Alone](https://mandarinthewild.com/library/read/zhao-yun-rides-alone-three-kingdoms-advanced-chinese-9#library-word-356-358)

[More about 动摇](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E5%8A%A8%E6%91%87)

## More words with 动 or 摇

- [被动 bèidòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/beidong)
- [变动 biàndòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/biandong)
- [波动 bōdòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/bodong)
- [不动产 bùdòngchǎn](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/budongchan)
- [冲动 chōngdòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/chongdong)
- [出动 chūdòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/chudong)
- [打动 dǎdòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dadong)
- [带动 dàidòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/daidong)
- [电动 diàndòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/diandong)
- [电动车 diàndòngchē](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/diandongche)

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