动不动就... for “At the Slightest Thing”
Use 动不动就 to complain that someone or something does an unwelcome thing far too easily and too often.
Pattern
主语 + 动不动就 + 动词短语
Say that something unwelcome happens at the slightest excuse, again and again, usually as a complaint.
他脾气不太好，动不动就生气。
When to use 动不动就... for “At the Slightest Thing”
动不动 comes before the verb and is almost always followed by 就. It means the action happens very easily, at the smallest excuse, and keeps happening. Note the pinyin: the middle 不 is neutral, dòng bu dòng.
我弟弟动不动就哭，真让人头疼。
My little brother cries over every little thing. It’s such a headache.
这台旧电脑动不动就自己关机，真没法用。
This old computer keeps switching itself off. It’s impossible to use.
这个地方的天气很奇怪，夏天动不动就下雨。
The weather here is strange. In summer it rains at the drop of a hat.
妹妹动不动就哭，一点小事也要哭半天。
My little sister cries at the slightest thing. Even something tiny makes her cry for ages.
Common traps
- Keep 就 after it: 动不动就哭 is the standard form, and leaving 就 out sounds incomplete in most sentences.
- Use it for unwelcome habits; for good habits choose 经常 or 总是.
- Read the middle 不 with a neutral tone: dòng bu dòng.
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