disturb
Definitions
To interrupt someone's peace, rest, or concentration
打扰，妨碍（安宁、休息或专注）
To make someone feel anxious or upset
使不安，使忧虑
To move something from its position or normal state
扰动，移动（使离开原位或原状）
Root Breakdown
Root-deriveddis- (apart, intensifying) + turb (stir up) = to stir someone's calm apart. The Latin turbāre meant to throw into confusion; disturb is exactly that act aimed at a person's peace, a quiet room, or an object's settled position. From physical nudging (don't disturb the papers) it extends to mental upset (the news disturbed her).
Root turb still carries 24 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.disturb the peace扰乱治安
- 2.do not disturb请勿打扰
- 3.disturb the balance打破平衡
- 4.deeply disturb深深扰动
Example Sentences
- 1.
Please don't disturb me while I'm working on this report.
- 2.
A loud noise outside disturbed the sleeping baby.
- 3.
The disturbing details of the case disturbed everyone in the courtroom.
- 4.
Try not to disturb the soil around the new plant's roots.
Easily Confused
disturb vs bother — both mean to interrupt, but bother is lighter and more casual (sorry to bother you), while disturb is stronger and often about breaking peace, rest, or mental calm (do not disturb / deeply disturbed). You'd put "Do Not Disturb" on a hotel door, not "Do Not Bother."