Meanings of 动
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About 动
Podcast: 动
Podcast: 动
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AI Study Notes for 动
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 动
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Etymology of 动
Simplified form of 動. Phonosemantic compound. 力 represents the meaning and 重 represents the sound.
strength
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 动
Simplified form of 動. Phonosemantic compound. 力 represents the meaning and 重 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half力 carries the sense.
- 2The giveawaystrength
- 3On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 动? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 动?
Decomposition of 动
Identify the Components
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How to say to use in Chinese
“to use” in Chinese is动
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
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Practice writing 动 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Complete the Sentence
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)
Cultural Notes for 动
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
Compound Meaning
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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