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一动不动 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一动不动yídòngbúdòngmotionlessHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #14452, Very Hard
yídòngbúdòng(yi2dong4bu2dong4)yi dong bu dong T1
  1. 1motionless
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March 24, 2026

一动不动(一動不動)yídòngbúdòng(yi2dong4bu2dong4)

一动不动 (yī dòng bù dòng) means 'motionless' or 'to remain completely still.' It is commonly used to describe someone or something that does not move at all, often in contexts like waiting, observing, or being in a state of shock or concentration.

Strokes17Frequency#14452DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, being '一动不动' can also signify a meditative state or deep contemplation, reflecting values of patience and focus, especially in practices like tai chi or meditation.

Memory tip

Imagine a statue that stands '一动不动' (yī dòng bù dòng), symbolizing absolute stillness. The first part '一动' (yī dòng) sounds like 'one movement,' and the second part '不动' (bù dòng) means 'not move.' Visualize the statue being the only thing that remains while everything else is in motion.

Meanings of 一动不动

yídòngbúdòng(yi2dong4bu2dong4)
1motionless
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About 一动不动

一动不动Simplified
一動不動Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 一动不动

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in both formal and informal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in situations where slight movement is expected; remember, it strictly implies no movement at all. Ensure you use the correct tones to convey the meaning accurately.

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is useful for higher-level learners. Focus on recognizing and using idioms to enhance your fluency and expressiveness in conversation, as they are common in everyday Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use this idiom to describe slight movement or activity, such as '我一动不动地走.' The correct phrase should be '我静静地走,' meaning 'I walk quietly,' which better conveys the intended meaning without implying total stillness.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一动不动

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Idiom spotlight: 一动不动

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:one move not move

Component characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
动dòngto use
HSK 26 strokes力
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不bù(negative prefix)
HSK 14 strokes一
View full entry
动dòngto use
HSK 26 strokes力
View full entry

How to say motionless in Chinese

“motionless” in Chinese is一动不动yídòngbúdòng

一动不动 (yī dòng bù dòng) means 'motionless' or 'to remain completely still.' It is commonly used to describe someone or something that does not move at all, often in contexts like waiting, observing, or being in a state of shock or concentration.

When to use 一动不动

This idiom is often used in both formal and informal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in situations where slight movement is expected; remember, it strictly implies no movement at all. Ensure you use the correct tones to convey the meaning accurately.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use this idiom to describe slight movement or activity, such as '我一动不动地走.' The correct phrase should be '我静静地走,' meaning 'I walk quietly,' which better conveys the intended meaning without implying total stillness.

Write 一动不动

一
动
不
动

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Frequently asked questions about 一动不动

No, '一动不动' specifically refers to someone or something that is awake but not moving.

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