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动 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
动dòngto useHSK 2, v, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto actHSK 2, v, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto moveHSK 2, v, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto changeHSK 2, v, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto move, to happen; movement, actionHSK 2, v, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòng(of sth) to moveHSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto set in movementHSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto displaceHSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto touchHSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto make use ofHSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto stir (emotions)HSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngto alterHSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngabbr. for 動詞HSK 2, v, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngverbHSK 2, v, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
动dòngabbr. for 動詞|动词[dong4 ci2], verbHSK 2, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 力, rank #409, Easy
dòng(dong4)dong T4
  1. 1to use
  2. 2to act
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

动(動)dòng(dong4)

The character 动 (dòng) primarily means 'to move' or 'to act.' It can refer to physical movement, emotional changes, or the act of using something. This character is frequently used in contexts related to activities, actions, and verbs in the Chinese language.

Strokes6Radical力Frequency#409DifficultyEasy
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, movement is often associated with energy and change, reflecting the dynamic nature of life. The concept of 动 is significant in practices like Tai Chi, where movement is a form of meditation and physical exercise.

Memory tip

Imagine a group of dancers (动) performing a lively routine. The flowing movements of the dancers represent 'movement' and 'action,' while the sound 'dòng' is reminiscent of the rhythmic beat that drives them forward.

Meanings of 动

dòng(dong4)
1to use
2to act
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 动 means.

About 动

动Simplified
動Traditional
6Strokes
力Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#409Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 动

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Podcast: 动

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AI study notes for 动

Quick Contrast

移动 (yídòng) - use 移动 when emphasizing the aspect of shifting from one place to another, while 动 (dòng) is more general for any kind of movement or action.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; '动' is pronounced with a fourth tone (dòng) and can be confused with other similar sounding words. It is often used in phrases like 动作 (dòng zuò, action) and 动力 (dòng lì, motivation). Ensure you use it in contexts that involve movement or change.

HSK Study Tips

While 动 is not an HSK Level 1 word, it is essential for HSK 2 and beyond, especially when forming sentences involving actions. Focus on its usage in combination with other verbs and in various contexts to enhance understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 动 with 动作 (dòng zuò, action) and may misuse them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢动作' instead of '我喜欢动' (I like to move) is incorrect; the first means 'I like actions,' which is a different context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 动

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Etymology of 动

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 動. Phonosemantic compound. 力 represents the meaning and 重 represents the sound.

Memory hint

strength

Semantic (meaning)力
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 动?

Decomposition of 动

IDS Structure⿰云力
动Full character
=
云yun2
left
力Li4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 动?

How to say to use in Chinese

“to use” in Chinese is动dòng

The character 动 (dòng) primarily means 'to move' or 'to act.' It can refer to physical movement, emotional changes, or the act of using something. This character is frequently used in contexts related to activities, actions, and verbs in the Chinese language.

When to use 动

Be cautious with the tone; '动' is pronounced with a fourth tone (dòng) and can be confused with other similar sounding words. It is often used in phrases like 动作 (dòng zuò, action) and 动力 (dòng lì, motivation). Ensure you use it in contexts that involve movement or change.

动 or something close to it

移动 (yídòng) - use 移动 when emphasizing the aspect of shifting from one place to another, while 动 (dòng) is more general for any kind of movement or action.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 动 with 动作 (dòng zuò, action) and may misuse them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢动作' instead of '我喜欢动' (I like to move) is incorrect; the first means 'I like actions,' which is a different context.

Write 动

动

Practice writing 动 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 动

动 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 15 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我把油画平放以防止未干的颜料流____。

I lay the painting flat to stop the wet paint running.

Example sentences for 动 (22)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我把油画平放以防止未干的颜料流动。

wǒ bǎ yóuhuà píng fàng yǐ fángzhǐ wèi gān de yán liào liúdòng。

I lay the painting flat to stop the wet paint running.
2
她既然主动提出帮助照看孩子,我也就同意了。

tā jìrán zhǔdòng tíchū bāngzhù zhào kàn háizi, wǒ yě jiù tóngyì le。

Since she'd offered to babysit, I took her up on it.
3
如果可的松无效,我恐怕只能动手术了。

rúguǒ kě de sōng wúxiào, wǒ kǒngpà zhǐnéng dòngshǒu shù le。

If the cortisone doesn't take, I may have to have surgery.
4
我认为像慢跑、举重这样的运动不符合自然规律。

wǒ rènwéi xiàng màn pǎo、 jǔzhòng zhèyàng de yùndòng bùfú gě zìrán guīlǜ。

I consider activities such as jogging and weightlifting as unnatural.
5
我知道那根本没什么大不了的,所以有些无动于衷。

wǒ zhīdào nà gēnběn méishénme dàbuliǎo de, suǒyǐ yǒuxiē wúdòngyúzhōng。

I know it's nothing serious and I feel quite unemotional about it.
6
目前,30%的爬行动物、鸟类和鱼类面临灭绝的危险。

mùqián,30% de pá xíngdòng wù、 niǎo lèi hé yú lèi miànlín mièjué de wēixiǎn。

30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction.
7
房间很安静,无人主动提供更多的信息。

fángjiān hěn ānjìng, wú rén zhǔdòng tígōng gèng duō de xìnxī。

The room was quiet; no one volunteered any further information.
8
现在人们开始意识到必须采取断然的行动。

xiànzài rénmen kāishǐ yìshí dào bìxū cǎiqǔ duànrán de xíngdòng。

Now there is a dawning realisation that drastic action is necessary.
9
各家经营各自的农场,收获各自的劳动成果。

gè jiā jīngyíng gèzì de nóngchǎng, shōuhuò gèzì de láodòng chéngguǒ。

Each family farms individually and reaps the benefit of its labor.
10
你的决定必须转化为具体明确的行动。

nǐ de juédìng bìxū zhuǎnhuà wèi jùtǐ míngquè de xíngdòng。

Your decision must be translated into specific, concrete actions.
11
她学会了怎么动电脑软件。

Tā xuéhuì le zěnme dòng diànnǎo ruǎnjiàn.

She learned how to use the computer software.
12
你会动这个工具吗?

Nǐ huì dòng zhège gōngjù ma?

Do you know how to use this tool?
13
老师教我们怎么动这些材料。

Lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen zěnme dòng zhèxiē cáiliào.

The teacher taught us how to use these materials.
14
动手机拍照很简单。

Dòng shǒujī pāizhào hěn jiǎndān.

Using the phone to take pictures is very simple.
15
我不太会动这个新电脑程序。

Wǒ bù tài huì dòng zhège xīn diànnǎo chéngxù.

I'm not very good at using this new computer program.
16
他不知道怎么动这些工具。

Tā bù zhīdào zěnme dòng zhèxiē gōngjù.

He doesn't know how to use these tools.
17
她学会了怎么动电脑软件。

Tā xuéhuì le zěnme dòng diànnǎo ruǎnjiàn.

She learned how to use the computer software.
18
你会动这个工具吗?

Nǐ huì dòng zhège gōngjù ma?

Do you know how to use this tool?
19
老师教我们怎么动这些材料。

Lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen zěnme dòng zhèxiē cáiliào.

The teacher taught us how to use these materials.
20
动手机拍照很简单。

Dòng shǒujī pāizhào hěn jiǎndān.

Using the phone to take pictures is very simple.
21
我不太会动这个新电脑程序。

Wǒ bù tài huì dòng zhège xīn diànnǎo chéngxù.

I'm not very good at using this new computer program.
22
他不知道怎么动这些工具。

Tā bù zhīdào zěnme dòng zhèxiē gōngjù.

He doesn't know how to use these tools.

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Cultural Notes for 动

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the idea of movement often focuses on physical activity and action, while in Chinese culture, it encompasses emotional and spiritual dimensions as well.

Word Family of 动

Compounds1
恸tòngsadness, grief; to mourn, to be moved
Words containing this character20
活动huódòngto exercise活動
动dòngto touch動
行动xíngdòngoperation行動
运动yùndòngto move運動
动作dòngzuòmovement動作
动物dòngwùanimal動物
激动jīdòngto excite激動
移动yídòngto move移動
启动qǐdòngto start (a machine)啟動
劳动láodòngwork勞動
主动zhǔdòngactive主動
自动zìdòngautomatic自動
推动tuīdòngto promote推動
感动gǎndòngto move (sb)感動
动力dònglìforce動力
动手dòngshǒuto hit動手
发动fādòngto start發動
运动员yùndòngyuánathlete運動員
动机dòngjīmotor動機
冲动chōngdòngto have an urge衝動
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 动

What does 恸 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 动

动 can mean to move, to act, or to change, depending on the context. It's widely used in phrases related to action.

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