煽动 (shān dòng) is a verb meaning 'to incite' or 'to stir up' strong emotions—especially anger, fear, hatred, or unrest—in a group of people. The first character 煽 (shān) originally means 'to fan' (as in fanning a fire), and the second character 动 (dòng) means 'to move' or 'to stir'. Together, they vividly evoke the image of fanning flames—suggesting deliberate, often manipulative, action to intensify existing feelings or provoke collective reaction. It carries a strong negative connotation and is almost always used in formal, political, legal, or media contexts.

This word implies intentionality and responsibility: the subject actively spreads rhetoric, misinformation, or emotional appeals to provoke harmful behavior or social instability. It’s commonly paired with nouns like 民众 (the public), 群众 (the masses), or 暴力 (violence). Because of its serious implications, 煽动 appears frequently in laws (e.g., 煽动颠覆国家政权 — 'inciting subversion of state power') and news reports about unrest, extremism, or online disinformation campaigns.