動揺(どうよう)

どうよう
noun, suru-verb
agitation, disturbance
1. agitation, disturbance, emotional upset
A state of being emotionally shaken or disturbed. Can refer to mental agitation or being thrown off balance emotionally.
その知(し)らせに動揺(どうよう)した。
I was shaken by that news.
動揺する = to be shaken/disturbed
彼(かれ)は動揺(どうよう)を隠(かく)せなかった。
He couldn't hide his agitation.
動揺(どうよう)せずに落(お)ち着(つ)いて対応(たいおう)した。
I responded calmly without being flustered.
2. shaking, swaying, instability
Physical shaking or instability, though the emotional meaning is more common.
船(ふね)が大(おお)きく動揺(どうよう)した。
The ship rocked violently.
地震(じしん)で建物(たてもの)が動揺(どうよう)した。
The building shook from the earthquake.
強(つよ)い風(かぜ)で橋(はし)が動揺(どうよう)して怖(こわ)かった。
The bridge swayed in the strong wind and it was scary.

USAGE: 動揺(どうよう) primarily describes emotional disturbance or being mentally shaken. It's commonly used to describe reactions to shocking news or unexpected situations.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 動揺(どうよう)する (to be shaken/disturbed)
  • 動揺(どうよう)させる (to shake/disturb someone)
  • 動揺(どうよう)を隠(かく)す (to hide one's agitation)
  • 動揺(どうよう)を見(み)せる (to show one's agitation)

HOMOPHONE:

  • 童謡(どうよう) (children's song) - same reading, different meaning

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 狼狽(ろうばい) (panic, confusion)
  • 混乱(こんらん) (confusion)
  • うろたえる (to be flustered)
  • 慌(あわ)てる (to panic, be in a hurry)

Related Words

Contrast: 童謡(どうよう) (children's song (homophone))
Related: 混乱(こんらん) (confusion)
general
Added 2026.1.12 18:56 · Revised 2026.3.1 9:20
03000/03482_douyou