振作
To pull oneself together
Littéralement: To flap/shake (振) and to rise/arouse (作)
Use `振作` to encourage someone to stop moping and reclaim their energy after a disappointment.
En 15 secondes
- Used to encourage someone to overcome sadness or a setback.
- Combines 'shake' and 'rise' to mean emotional recovery.
- Commonly used with '起来' for a more natural, active flow.
Signification
This phrase is used to tell someone to shake off their sadness or laziness and get their energy back. It is like telling a friend to 'snap out of it' or 'chin up' after a setback.
Exemples clés
3 sur 7Encouraging a friend after a breakup
别难过了，你要振作起来。
Stop being sad, you need to pull yourself together.
A coach talking to a losing team
大家振作精神，我们还有机会！
Everyone, pull your spirits together, we still have a chance!
Self-talk on a lazy Monday
我得振作点，不能再玩手机了。
I need to snap out of it; I can't keep playing on my phone.
Contexte culturel
The phrase has roots in classical Chinese, where it described the flapping of a bird's wings to take flight. It symbolizes the transition from a state of stillness or depression to one of action and vitality. In modern times, it became a staple of 'chicken soup for the soul' style encouragement in pop culture.
The 'Upward' Particle
Always try to add `起来` (qǐlái) after `振作`. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker and emphasizes the 'rising' action.
Timing is Everything
Don't use this immediately after someone shares bad news. Give them a moment to feel their feelings first, or you might seem dismissive.
En 15 secondes
- Used to encourage someone to overcome sadness or a setback.
- Combines 'shake' and 'rise' to mean emotional recovery.
- Commonly used with '起来' for a more natural, active flow.
What It Means
振作 is your go-to word for emotional recovery. It literally means to shake yourself awake and rise up. Think of it as hitting the 'reset' button on your mood. It is about finding your inner strength when you feel defeated. It is not just about being happy. It is about being active and ready to face life again.
How To Use It
You usually use it as a verb or a command. You can tell yourself to 振作. You can tell a friend to 振作起来. The 起来 adds a sense of 'upward' movement. It works perfectly with words like 精神 (spirit). For example, 振作精神 means to pull your spirits together. It is short, punchy, and carries a lot of weight. Don't overthink the grammar; it is very flexible.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is moping after a breakup. Use it when a coworker is sad about a missed promotion. It is great for sports when the team is losing. It is also perfect for those Monday mornings when you can't leave bed. If there is a cloud of gloom, 振作 is the sunlight. It is a very supportive and encouraging word.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it during the first few minutes of a tragedy. If someone just lost a pet, they need a hug, not a command to 'snap out of it.' It can sound a bit cold if used too early. Also, don't use it for physical tiredness. If you are sleepy, you need coffee, not 振作. It is for the heart and mind, not the muscles.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, resilience is a highly valued trait. There is a strong emphasis on 'keeping face' and staying strong for the family. 振作 reflects this spirit of perseverance. It has a slightly literary feel but is used by everyone today. It reminds people that failure is temporary. It is the verbal equivalent of a firm pat on the back.
Common Variations
The most common version you will hear is 振作起来. Adding 起来 makes it sound more like an action. You might also hear 重新振作, which means to 'pull yourself together again.' In formal speeches, you might hear 振作国民精神 to inspire a whole country. It is a word that scales from one person to millions.
Notes d'usage
振作 is neutral to slightly formal but very common in daily life. It is most effective when paired with directional complements like '起来' or nouns like '精神'.
The 'Upward' Particle
Always try to add `起来` (qǐlái) after `振作`. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker and emphasizes the 'rising' action.
Timing is Everything
Don't use this immediately after someone shares bad news. Give them a moment to feel their feelings first, or you might seem dismissive.
The Spirit Connection
In China, 'Jīngshén' (spirit) is like a battery. When you say `振作精神`, you're literally telling someone to recharge their internal battery.
Exemples
7别难过了，你要振作起来。
Stop being sad, you need to pull yourself together.
The addition of '起来' makes the encouragement feel more active.
大家振作精神，我们还有机会！
Everyone, pull your spirits together, we still have a chance!
Using '精神' (spirit) makes it sound more motivational.
我得振作点，不能再玩手机了。
I need to snap out of it; I can't keep playing on my phone.
Adding '点' (a bit) makes it sound more casual and internal.
一次考试而已，快振作！
It's just one exam, snap out of it!
Short and direct for a quick text message.
面对挑战，我们需要振作。
Facing challenges, we need to brace ourselves.
In a work context, it sounds like a call to action.
奶茶洒了？振作点，勇士！
Spilled your milk tea? Pull yourself together, warrior!
Using a serious word for a small problem creates humor.
看到你重新振作，我真的很开心。
Seeing you pull yourself back together makes me really happy.
Using '重新' (again) acknowledges a long recovery process.
Teste-toi
Choose the best phrase to complete the encouragement.
别哭了，快___起来！
'振作起来' is the standard way to tell someone to stop crying and be strong.
Which word is often paired with '振作' to mean 'spirit'?
我们需要振作___。
'振作精神' is a common collocation meaning to pull one's spirits together.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 振作
Used with close friends or self-talk.
快振作点！
Standard daily encouragement.
你要振作起来。
Speeches or professional motivation.
振作精神，迎接挑战。
When to say 振作
After a breakup
Start dating again
Career setback
Applying for new jobs
Sports loss
Training harder
Lazy morning
Getting out of bed
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot really. It is for emotional or mental states. If you are physically tired, use 休息 (rest) or 提神 (refresh yourself with coffee/tea).
No, it's very common among friends. Just add 点 (diǎn) or 起来 (qǐlái) to make it sound softer and more natural.
加油 is general cheering. 振作 specifically implies the person is currently 'down' or 'low' and needs to come back up.
Yes, if the team is discouraged. A leader might say 大家要振作精神 to motivate everyone after a project fails.
You can say 我得振作起来 (Wǒ děi zhènzuò qǐlái).
It can be. It's better to use more indirect language with a boss unless you have a very close relationship.
No, it is almost always positive and encouraging.
Yes, it's great for encouraging a child who is upset about losing a game or a toy.
Using it without a complement like 起来. Just saying 你振作 sounds incomplete and a bit robotic.
Not exactly, but young people might use 支棱起来 (zhīleng qǐlái) which is a fun, northern slang equivalent.
Expressions liées
加油
Go for it / Keep going
挺住
Hang in there / Hold on
坚强
To be strong
恢复
To recover
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