Meaning
激动 describes a state of heightened emotion, typically excitement, agitation, or being deeply moved. It can refer to positive excitement (like winning a prize) or emotional turbulence (like being moved to tears). The word conveys that one's emotions have been stirred beyond the ordinary calm state.
Usage
Native speakers use 激动 to describe both their own emotional state and others'. It's common in spoken and written Chinese. Often paired with 很 (very) or 太 (too). Can describe excitement before an event or being emotionally moved after something touching happens. The verb usage means 'to excite' or 'to stir up emotions'.
Examples
- 01听到这个好消息，我激动得说不出话来。, .Hearing this good news, I was so excited I couldn't speak.
- 02看到久别的家人，她心情十分激动。, .Seeing her family after a long separation, she felt very emotional.
Characters
Common collocations
- 很激动very excited
- 激动人心exciting, thrilling, heart-stirring
- 情绪激动emotionally agitated
- 激动得so excited that...
Antonyms
Origin
The character 激 originally meant 'rushing water striking against something' and evolved to mean 'to stimulate or excite'. Combined with 动 (to move), the word literally suggests emotions being stirred into motion.