动不动就…
at the slightest thing; all too readily; at every turn
Structure
主语 动不动就 动词短语
What it means
At the slightest thing: something unwelcome happens far too easily or far too often. Almost always a complaint.
How it is built
Subject + 动不动就 + verb phrase: 这孩子被惯坏了，动不动就哭 (this spoilt child bursts into tears at the slightest thing).
When to use it
Spoken. Typical verbs: 哭, 发火, 生病, 辞职, 加班, 被罚款. 动不动 (lesson 8-2) goes after the subject. The written equivalent is 动辄 (动辄罚款).
Watch out
就 is needed: ✗ 他动不动哭 ✓ 他动不动就哭. Not for good things (✗ 他动不动就帮助别人) unless you are being ironic.
Examples
新人手慢，动不动就被组长催。
Newcomers are slow and get hurried along by the team leader at every turn.
这孩子被惯坏了，动不动就哭。
This child has been spoilt and bursts into tears at the slightest thing.
现在有些年轻人动不动就辞职，干不满半年就换工作。
Some young people today quit at the drop of a hat and change jobs before they have been anywhere six months.
Learn this in Lesson 181 · HSK 7–9: 流水线上 (On the assembly line)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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