B1 adjective Neutral 1 min read

不稳定

bu wen ding /pu˧˥ ʂwən˥ tiŋ˥˩/
Practice it

Unstable describes anything that is prone to change, lacks balance, or is not firmly fixed.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Refers to a state that is not firm or steady.
  • Used for physical objects, emotions, or abstract situations.
  • Indicates a lack of predictability or reliability.

Overview

  1. 1概览：不稳定是一个高频形容词，由否定前缀“不”和形容词“稳定”组成。它核心表达的是一种缺乏平衡、缺乏持续性或容易发生变化的状态。2) 用法模式：该词既可作谓语（如：局势不稳定），也可作定语（如：不稳定的天气）。在句式上，常与“变得”、“处于”、“显得”等动词搭配，用于描述某种状态的演变。3) 常见语境：在日常生活中，常用于描述气候（天气不稳定）、情绪（情绪不稳定）或身体状况（心跳不稳定）。在社会或商业语境中，常用于描述经济、政局或系统运行（系统运行不稳定）。4) 近义词辨析：与“动荡”相比，“不稳定”范围更广，侧重于状态的不可靠；与“摇晃”相比，它更侧重于抽象层面的不确定性，而非单纯的物理位移。

Examples

1

最近天气很不稳定，一会儿下雨，一会儿出太阳。

everyday

The weather has been very unstable lately, raining one moment and sunny the next.

2

由于政局不稳定，投资者持观望态度。

formal

Due to the unstable political situation, investors are taking a wait-and-see approach.

3

这个实验数据不稳定，我们需要重新测量。

academic

This experimental data is unstable; we need to re-measure it.

Common Collocations

局势不稳定 Unstable situation
情绪不稳定 Emotionally unstable
电压不稳定 Unstable voltage

Common Phrases

极不稳定

Extremely unstable

系统不稳定

System is unstable

导致不稳定

Cause instability

Often Confused With

不稳定 vs 动荡

Refers to violent or large-scale upheaval. '不稳定' is milder and can describe minor fluctuations.

不稳定 vs 摇晃

Refers specifically to physical swinging or wobbling. '不稳定' is an abstract quality of the state.

Grammar Patterns

处于不稳定状态 变得不稳定 显得不稳定

How to Use It

Usage Notes

This word is neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal settings. It is frequently used to describe systems, emotions, and weather. Ensure you use it with appropriate linking verbs like '变得' or '处于'.

Common Mistakes

Beginners sometimes use '不稳定' to describe a physical object that is simply 'heavy'. Remember it refers to the state of balance, not weight. Avoid using it to describe static objects that are just 'fixed'.

Tips

💡

Use with linking verbs

Pair '不稳定' with verbs like '变得' (become) or '显得' (appear) to describe changing states. This makes your Chinese sound more natural.

⚠️

Don't confuse with physical shaking

While '不稳定' can mean shaky, use '摇晃' specifically for physical movement. Use '不稳定' for abstract or systemic issues.

🌍

Contextual usage in social commentary

In news, '社会不稳定' is a serious phrase referring to social unrest. Use it carefully in formal settings.

Word Origin

The word is a combination of '不' (not) and '稳定' (stable). '稳定' originates from '稳' (firm/settled) and '定' (fixed/settled).

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, stability (稳定) is highly valued, especially in social and political contexts. Therefore, '不稳定' is often viewed as a negative state that requires intervention or correction.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'broken scale' that can't find its balance. It is 'un-stable' (不-稳定) because it keeps shifting.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“不稳定”范围较广，可用于个人情绪、天气或微小系统；“动荡”通常指大规模的社会、政治或经济层面的剧烈波动，程度更深。

通常翻译为 'emotionally unstable' 或 'mood swings'。在描述人时，也可以用 'volatile' 来形容其性格多变。

反义词是“稳定”。在形容物体时也可以用“牢固”或“稳固”。

在IT领域，它通常指软件崩溃、网络连接断断续续或系统性能波动，即 'unstable system' 或 'unstable connection'。

Test Yourself

fill blank

最近天气___，出门记得带伞。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 不稳定

天气变化无常，应使用形容状态多变的词。

multiple choice

由于市场波动，目前的经济形势显得___。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 很不稳定

经济形势受波动影响，不稳定是描述其状态的常用词。

sentence building

情绪 / 他 / 最近 / 不稳定 / 显得

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 他最近显得情绪不稳定

标准结构为主语+时间状语+谓语+宾语。

Score: /3

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