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动工 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
动工dònggōngto start (a building project)HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #23693, Very Hard
dònggōng(dong4gong1)dong gong T4
  1. 1to start (a building project)
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March 24, 2026

动工(動工)dònggōng(dong4gong1)

动工 refers to the commencement of a construction project or building work. It is commonly used in contexts involving the initiation of construction, renovations, or any major works, marking the official start of such undertakings.

Strokes9Frequency#23693DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of 动工 often involves a ceremony to seek blessings for safety and success in the construction project, reflecting the importance of auspicious beginnings.

Memory Tip

Think of 动 (dòng) as 'moving' and 工 (gōng) as 'work' or 'construction'. Imagine a crew of workers moving their tools and equipment to the site, signifying the beginning of their project. This vivid scene can help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 动工

dònggōng(dong4gong1)
1to start (a building project)
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About 动工

动工Simplified
動工Traditional
9Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 动工

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AI Study Notes for 动工

Quick Contrast

开工 (kāigōng) - use 动工 for formal contexts or official announcements, while 开工 is more casual.

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 动工 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in construction and real estate discussions. Common collocations include 动工仪式 (dònggōng yíshì - groundbreaking ceremony). Ensure you use the correct tones, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 动工 itself is not an HSK word, it connects to HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to work and activities. Focus on understanding the context of construction-related terms and how they relate to actions, as this will enhance your overall comprehension of similar phrases.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 动工 with 开工 (kāigōng), which also means to start working but is more commonly used in informal contexts. For example, saying '我们动工明天' instead of '我们明天开工' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我们明天开工'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 动工

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Component Characters

动dòngto use
HSK 26 strokes力
View full entry
工gōngwork
HSK 33 strokes工
View full entry

How to say to start (a building project) in Chinese

“to start (a building project)” in Chinese is动工dònggōng

动工 refers to the commencement of a construction project or building work. It is commonly used in contexts involving the initiation of construction, renovations, or any major works, marking the official start of such undertakings.

When to use 动工

Be mindful that 动工 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in construction and real estate discussions. Common collocations include 动工仪式 (dònggōng yíshì - groundbreaking ceremony). Ensure you use the correct tones, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.

动工 or something close to it

开工 (kāigōng) - use 动工 for formal contexts or official announcements, while 开工 is more casual.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 动工 with 开工 (kāigōng), which also means to start working but is more commonly used in informal contexts. For example, saying '我们动工明天' instead of '我们明天开工' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我们明天开工'.

Write 动工

动
工

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Frequently Asked Questions about 动工

While it typically refers to larger construction projects, it can also be used for smaller renovations or significant repairs.

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