阵

zhèn

HSK 5

阵 — zhèn

1. a short period of time; a spell; a burst

   他突然发烧了，发了两阵就好起来了。 tā tūrán fāshāo le fā le liǎngzhèn jiù hǎo qǐlái le — He suddenly had a fever; after two short bouts it got better.

2. a wave; a spate; a burst (of activity, emotion, etc.)

   一阵笑声从教室后面传了过来。 yīzhèn xiàoshēng cóng jiàoshì hòumiàn chuán le guòlái — A burst of laughter came from the back of the classroom.

3. disposition or formation of troops (military)

   指挥官下令改变阵形以应对敌军进攻。 zhǐhuīguān xiàlìng gǎibiàn zhènxíng yǐ yìngduì díjūn jìngōng — The commander ordered a change of formation to respond to the enemy's attack.

4. classifier for events or states of short duration (e.g., 一阵风 yī zhèn fēng 'a gust of wind')

   外面刮了一阵风，树叶都被吹落了。 wàimiàn guā le yīzhènfēng shùyè dōu bèi chuī là le — A gust of wind blew outside and the leaves were blown off.