How common it is
摇 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yáo slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
摇指来回摆动，比如摇手表示不要，或者摇铃铛发出声音。
Yáo zhǐ láihuí bǎidòng, bǐrú yáo shǒu biǎoshì bùyào, huòzhě yáo língdāng fāchū shēngyīn.
Shake means to move back and forth, like shaking a hand to say no, or shaking a bell to make sound.
Context note
小朋友在玩耍时经常摇动玩具或身体，比如摇木马。
Xiǎopéngyǒu zài wánshuǎ shí jīngcháng yáodòng wánjù huò shēntǐ, bǐrú yáo mùmǎ.
Children often shake toys or their bodies while playing, like shaking a rocking horse.
5 examples
他摇了摇手说再见。
tā yáo le yáo shǒu shuō zài jiàn。
He shook his hand and said goodbye.
风把树叶摇得沙沙响。
fēng bǎ shù yè yáo dé shā shā xiǎng。
The wind shook the leaves with a rustling sound.
她摇了摇铃铛，大家安静了。
tā yáo le yáo líng dang， dà jiā ān jìng le。
She shook the bell, and everyone quieted down.
小狗开心地摇着尾巴。
xiǎo gǒu kāi xīn dì yáo zhe wěi ba。
The puppy happily shook its tail.
不要摇桌子，会倒的。
bú yào yáo zhuō zi， huì dǎo de。
Don't shake the table, it might fall.
5 mini stories
小明在公园里摇木马，玩得很开心。妈妈在旁边看着他。
xiǎo míng zài gōng yuán lǐ yáo mù mǎ， wán dé hěn kāi xīn。 mā ma zài páng biān kàn zhe tā。
Xiao Ming shook the rocking horse in the park and had a lot of fun. Mom watched him nearby.
小红摇了摇手中的彩带，跳起了舞。大家都鼓掌。
xiǎo hóng yáo le yáo shǒu zhōng de cǎi dài， tiào qǐ le wǔ。 dà jiā dōu gǔ zhǎng。
Xiao Hong shook the ribbon in her hand and started dancing. Everyone clapped.
小刚摇了摇瓶子，里面的水晃来晃去。他觉得很有趣。
xiǎo gāng yáo le yáo píng zi， lǐ miàn de shuǐ huàng lái huàng qù。 tā jué de hěn yǒu qù。
Xiao Gang shook the bottle, and the water inside sloshed around. He found it interesting.
小丽摇着拨浪鼓，弟弟跟着节奏拍手。他们笑得很开心。
xiǎo lì yáo zhe bō làng gǔ， dì di gēn zhe jié zòu pāi shǒu。 tā men xiào dé hěn kāi xīn。
Xiao Li shook the rattle drum, and her little brother clapped along to the rhythm. They laughed happily.
小华在树下摇树枝，果子掉了下来。他捡起来吃了。
xiǎo huá zài shù xià yáo shù zhī， guǒ zǐ diào le xià lái。 tā jiǎn qǐ lái chī le。
Xiao Hua shook the branch under the tree, and fruit fell down. He picked it up and ate it.