Definitions

huàng (verb) to sway; to shake
huǎng (verb) to flash; to dazzle

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 晃, which remains consistent in both traditional and simplified systems, is structured with the sun radical 日 positioned above the component 光, meaning light, creating a direct visual etymology of intense, shining sunlight that can dazzle the eyes. This original sense of brilliance or brightness, as found in classical texts, provided the logical foundation for its later development into a verb meaning to shake or flash, evoking the visual effect of shimmering or unsteady light. From this core idea of a flickering or moving illumination, the character’s meaning extended further to describe physical unsteadiness or swaying, as something that appears to shake before one’s eyes, thereby connecting the perception of radiant light to the experience of oscillation and instability.

Example Sentences Hide

小船在水面动。

Xiǎo chuán zài shuǐmiàn huàngdòng.

The small boat is rocking on the water.

孩子高兴地着玩具。

Háizi gāoxìng de huàng zhe wánjù.

The child is happily shaking the toy.

手里的杯子。

Tā huàng le huàng shǒu lǐ de bēizi.

He shook the cup in his hand.

灯光动,影子也在动。

Dēngguāng huàngdòng, yǐngzi yě zài dòng.

The light is flickering, and the shadow is also moving.

她被眼的车灯吓了一跳。

Tā bèi huàngyǎn de chēdēng xià le yī tiào.

She was startled by the dazzling car lights.

地震时,整个房子都在动。

Dìzhèn shí, zhěnggè fángzi dōu zài huàngdòng.

During the earthquake, the entire house was shaking.

动着旗帜,向人群致意。

Tā huàngdòng zhe qízhì, xiàng rénqún zhìyì.

He waved the flag, greeting the crowd.

尽管他努力保持平衡,身体还是不由自主地了一下。

Jǐnguǎn tā nǔlì bǎochí pínghéng, shēntǐ háishì bùyóuzìzhǔ de huàng le yīxià.

Despite his efforts to maintain balance, his body swayed involuntarily.