动
dòng
To move; to touch
动不动 (dòng bù dòng) 就 (jiù) — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what动不动就Action
Rule structure
The pattern 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) expresses disapproval of an action that happens easily and repeatedly: "at the slightest thing, (someone) just…". It comes before the verb phrase and usually carries a reproachful tone. The register is colloquial.
Rule structure
The pattern 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) expresses disapproval of an action that happens easily and repeatedly: "at the slightest thing, (someone) just…". It comes before the verb phrase and usually carries a reproachful tone. The register is colloquial.
Examples
他动不动就生气。
Tā dòngbudòng jiù shēngqì.
He gets angry at the slightest thing.
Examples
他动不动就生气。
Tā dòngbudòng jiù shēngqì.
He gets angry at the slightest thing.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “at the slightest thing, just” in Chinese with 动不动 就?
Use the structure: Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb. For example: 他动不动就生气。 — “He gets angry at the slightest thing”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他动不动就生气。 — “He gets angry at the slightest thing”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B
爱 — indifference “whether… or not”
爱 (ài) + Verb + 不 (bù) + the same Verb