Understanding "激动" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 激动
• Pinyin: jī dòng
• Literal Meaning: "Stirred movement" (激 means "stirred" or "intense," and 动 means "movement" or "action")
• Primary Meaning: To feel excited, agitated, or emotionally stirred up, often due to strong emotions like joy, anger, or anticipation.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"激动" describes a state of heightened emotion, whether positive (e.g., excitement, happiness) or negative (e.g., anger, nervousness). It is commonly used to express intense feelings in situations like receiving good news, watching an emotional scene, or feeling overwhelmed by an event.

Nuances:
- While "激动" can describe both positive and negative emotions, the context usually clarifies the tone.
- It often implies a visible or physical reaction (e.g., trembling, tears, or raised voice).

Character Breakdown

• 激 (jī): Means "intense," "stirred," or "aroused." It often conveys a sense of strong stimulation.
• 动 (dòng): Means "movement" or "action." Here, it suggests emotional or physical agitation.

Together, the characters depict a state where emotions are "stirred into motion."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 听到这个消息，他非常激动。
   Pinyin: Tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi, tā fēi cháng jī dòng.
   English: Upon hearing this news, he became very excited.

2. Chinese: 她在获奖时激动得哭了。
   Pinyin: Tā zài huò jiǎng shí jī dòng de kū le.
   English: She was so moved/excited when receiving the award that she cried.

3. Chinese: 别太激动，冷静一下。
   Pinyin: Bié tài jī dòng, lěng jìng yī xià.
   English: Don’t get too worked up; calm down a bit.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, openly expressing strong emotions like excitement or anger is less common than in Western cultures, especially in formal settings. However, "激动" is still widely used to describe genuine emotional moments, such as family reunions, achievements, or national pride (e.g., during the Olympics). It reflects the value of emotional authenticity in meaningful situations.

Conclusion

"激动" (jī dòng) captures the idea of being emotionally stirred up, whether by joy, anger, or other intense feelings. Remember its dual-character makeup (激 + 动) and use it to describe moments of high emotion, both positive and negative. With practice, you’ll master this versatile word!