动不动 (dòngbudòng) – at the slightest provocation, all too often

Pattern

• Subject + 动不动 + 就 + Verb phrase

Usage

• A colloquial adverb always followed by 就, showing that an (often unwelcome) action happens easily and frequently for trivial reasons; it carries a complaining tone.

Examples

1. 1

   这位经理很情绪化，动不动就对下属发脾气。

   Zhè wèi jīnglǐ hěn qíngxùhuà, dòngbudòng jiù duì xiàshǔ fā píqi.

   This manager is very moody and loses his temper with his staff at the slightest thing.

2. 2

   这孩子身体弱，动不动就感冒。

   Zhè háizi shēntǐ ruò, dòngbudòng jiù gǎnmào.

   This child is frail and catches a cold at the drop of a hat.