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March 24, 2026
生动(生動)shēngdòng(sheng1dong4)
生动 (shēngdòng) means 'vivid' or 'lively,' often used to describe something that is full of life and energy, such as a performance, story, or description. It conveys a sense of clarity and engagement, making the subject more appealing and memorable to the audience.
Strokes11Frequency#9396DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of vividness is important in Chinese storytelling and art, where engaging the audience's imagination is key. For instance, traditional Chinese painting often strives to capture the 'liveliness' of nature, emphasizing the beauty of the moment.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lively scene in a bustling marketplace where the colors and sounds are so vivid that they jump out at you. The character 生 (shēng) means 'to grow' or 'to be born,' while 动 (dòng) means 'to move.' Together, they evoke the image of life moving vibrantly.
Meanings of 生动
shēngdòng(sheng1dong4)
1vivid
2lively
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About 生动
生动Simplified
生動Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#9396Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 生动
Podcast: 生动
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AI Study Notes for 生动
Quick Contrast
鲜活 (xiānhuó) - use 生动 (shēngdòng) for descriptions emphasizing clarity and engagement, while 鲜活 (xiānhuó) focuses more on freshness and vitality.
Usage Notes
生动 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often in descriptions of art, literature, or experiences. Common collocations include 生动的描述 (vivid description) and 生动的例子 (vivid example). Be careful with the tone: the first syllable is high and level (shēng), and the second syllable is falling (dòng).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 生动 connects well with other descriptive adjectives, enhancing vocabulary related to expressions and emotions. Students should practice using it in different contexts to describe various subjects, enhancing their narrative skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 生动 with 想象 (xiǎngxiàng), which means 'imagination.' For instance, saying 生动的想象 (vivid imagination) is incorrect; instead, use 想象力 (imagination) to convey the idea properly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 生动
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
生动 (shēngdòng) means 'vivid' or 'lively,' often used to describe something that is full of life and energy, such as a performance, story, or description. It conveys a sense of clarity and engagement, making the subject more appealing and memorable to the audience.
When to use 生动
生动 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often in descriptions of art, literature, or experiences. Common collocations include 生动的描述 (vivid description) and 生动的例子 (vivid example). Be careful with the tone: the first syllable is high and level (shēng), and the second syllable is falling (dòng).
生动 or something close to it
鲜活 (xiānhuó) - use 生动 (shēngdòng) for descriptions emphasizing clarity and engagement, while 鲜活 (xiānhuó) focuses more on freshness and vitality.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 生动 with 想象 (xiǎngxiàng), which means 'imagination.' For instance, saying 生动的想象 (vivid imagination) is incorrect; instead, use 想象力 (imagination) to convey the idea properly.
Write 生动
生
动
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Grammar Patterns of 生动
生动 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 2 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.
