Definitions
(verb)
to arouse; to stimulate; to excite
(adjective)
fierce; intense
About
The character 激 is structured with the water radical 氵 on the left and the component 敫 on the right, which historically served as a phonetic indicator while also carrying connotations of scattering or agitation. Its earliest meanings were tied to the behavior of water, specifically denoting actions like surging, splashing, or dashing, thereby grounding the character in tangible hydraulic force. From this aquatic foundation, the semantic range of 激 broadened to include abstract applications, such as stimulating emotions, inciting action, or describing conditions of fierce intensity, reflecting a gradual shift from physical phenomena to psychological and figurative realms. Throughout this progression, the character's composition has remained unchanged, maintaining its original form while accommodating these evolved usages.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我非常激动。
这场比赛很激烈。
父母经常激励我。
这个故事激发了勇气。
不要激怒你的朋友。
激光用于医疗领域。
激流冲刷着岩石。
她满怀激情地歌唱。