shake

Compared meaning: to move back and forth (verb).

比较义项：摇动，摇晃（动词）。

• rock

  Suggests a rhythmic, repeated back-and-forth motion, often steady and soothing, typical of boats, cradles or chairs; can range from gentle to violent.

  强调有规律的、反复的前后摇摆，通常平稳且带有安抚感，常用于船、摇篮或椅子，摇晃程度可以从轻柔到剧烈不等。

  She gently rocked the cradle until the baby fell asleep.

  她轻轻地摇晃摇篮，直到婴儿睡着。

• shake 本词

  Describes a quick, short and often irregular movement up and down or side to side, frequently caused by cold, fear, anger or shock, with a trembling quality.

  强调快速、短促且不规则的上下或左右晃动，常由寒冷、恐惧、愤怒或震惊引起，带有颤抖的感觉。

  His hands began to shake uncontrollably when he heard the shocking news.

  听到那个令人震惊的消息时，他的双手开始不受控制地颤抖。

• sway

  Describes a slow, smooth, repeated movement from side to side, often graceful, typical of tall or flexible things like trees; rarely violent.

  强调缓慢、平顺、反复的左右摆动，通常显得优雅，常用于高大或柔韧的物体，如树木，很少带有剧烈的意味。

  The tall palm trees swayed slowly in the warm evening breeze.

  高大的棕榈树在温暖的夜风中缓缓摇曳。

All three mean to move back and forth, but differently. Rock suggests a steady, rhythmic motion, like a boat. Shake suggests a quick, short, irregular trembling, from cold, fear, or anger. Sway suggests a slow, smooth motion from side to side, like a tree.

这三个词都表示“来回或左右摆动”，但语气和速度不同：rock 强调有规律的摇摆（如摇椅、摇篮、船只），shake 强调急促、常常不由自主的颤抖，sway 强调缓慢、优雅的摆动。这里不比较 rock 作名词表示“石头”、shake 表示“混合”或“使震惊”、sway 表示“影响，支配”的用法。

Compared meaning: the act of shaking hands as a greeting (noun).

比较义项：握手（名词）。

• shake 本词

  Informal and old-fashioned; rarely used as a noun for a handshake outside casual speech, and easily confused with the far more common verb 'shake' (to tremble or move something back and forth).

  这是非正式、略显过时的说法，作名词表示“握手”较少见，多见于口语；且容易与更常见的动词 shake（表示颤抖或来回摇动）混淆。

  He held out his hand for a shake before leaving the office.

  他离开办公室前伸出手，想要和对方握个手。

• handshake

  The standard, everyday word for the greeting gesture of clasping and shaking hands; used in all registers, from casual meetings to formal business or diplomatic contexts.

  这是表示“握手”这一问候动作的标准常用词，各种语域都适用，从日常见面到正式商务或外交场合皆可使用。

  Their handshake was warm and confident as they sealed the deal.

  他们握手时温暖而自信，就此达成了协议。

Both can mean a handshake, but shake is informal and rare as a noun here, and easily confused with the common verb 'shake', meaning to tremble. Handshake is the standard, everyday word for this greeting gesture, used in all situations, from casual to formal.

这两个词都可以指“握手”这一问候动作，但 shake 在此义项下是非正式、较少见的用法，常见于口语或习惯表达中；handshake 才是表示“握手”的标准常用词。注意 shake 更常见的意思是“摇晃，颤抖”（动词），此处不作比较。