shake, quake, quiver, rock, shiver, tremble
这组词都可表示由于震动或受刺激而引起的振动或颤抖。它们的区别是：
在表示因寒冷或恐惧而发抖时, shake, tremble, quiver和shiver常可互换。rock和shake强调外界因素所致, quake则强调自身因素引起。在摇动的幅度上, rock>quake>quiver>shiver。在摇动的频率上, shiver>tremble>quiver>rock。在程度上, quake最弱,几乎难以觉察。tremble强调无法克服性,而shiver则强调短暂性。用于指声音时, tremble只表示声音断断续续; quiver则指音调高低或声音强弱方面的颤抖。例如:
His hands were trembling〔shaking〕 from cold.他冷得两手直哆嗦。
He was quaking〔shivering〕 in his boots at the thought.他一想到这些就怕得发抖。
The ground quaked under his feet.大地在他脚下震动。
His insides quaked at the thought.想到这一点,他心里就发慌。
The pine needles were still quivering.松针还在抖动着。
A network of ripples quivered momentarily across the surface of the still pool.顷刻间平静的池面上轻轻地泛起一层涟漪。
She tried to steady her fingers, but they quivered uncontrollably.她想稳定住自己的手指,但它们不由自主地抖动不已。
The tower rocked under the impact of the hurricane.在飓风袭击下这座高塔摇晃得厉害。
The earthquake rocked the house.地震使房屋摇动。
He was trembling with rage.他气得发抖。
The whole house trembled as the train went by.火车经过时,整座屋子都在震颤。
Such thought may make you shiver at first.这种想法一开始会使你心惊肉跳。
shake, ring
这两个词都可译为“摇”,但使用的场合不同, ring只用于摇铃。例如:
He is ringing the bell.
他在摇铃。
He has shaken the bottle before taking the medicine.
他吃药前摇过药瓶。
shake，tremble，shiver，quiver，vibrate，shudder
这些动词都含“震动，颤抖”之意。
shake最普通用词，含义广。指人或物不自主地颤动、摇摆，常侧重剧烈和无规律。
tremble指由于寒冷、虚弱、愤怒或恐惧等而发抖、战栗。
shiver指因寒冷或情绪突变而出现的短时间的轻微和快速的颤抖。
quiver多用于指事物。指物体像乐器的弦一般地轻微而急速地颤动。
vibrate指急速地连续震动，也指钟摆等的来回摆动。
shudder着重指由于恐惧、震惊等而引起的全身突然而强烈地战栗。
