Definitions

dòng (verb) to move; to set in motion
dòng (verb) to stir (emotions); to touch emotionally
dòng (verb) to change; to alter

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning. The sound component was simplified to .

Semantic:

About

The traditional character 動 is a phono-semantic compound, with the radical 力 (strength) on the right indicating the physical effort required for action, and the component 重 (heavy) on the left providing the phonetic element. Its simplified form, 动, retains the 力 radical but simplifies the phonetic component to 云. The core meaning centers on physical movement, displacement, or altering a state of rest. This definition extends broadly to include abstract actions, changes, human behaviors, emotional stirrings, and the initiation of any process, whether physical or conceptual.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

一只小猫在

Yī zhī xiǎo māo zài dòng.

A kitten is moving.

孩子们在操场运

Háizi men zài cāochǎng yùndòng.

The children are exercising on the playground.

对身体有好处。

Dòng yī dòng duì shēntǐ yǒu hǎo chù.

Moving around is good for the body.

她轻轻地手腕。

Tā qīng qīng de dòng le dòng shǒu wàn.

She gently moved her wrist.

这个机器需要手操作。

Zhè ge jīqì xūyào shǒudòng cāozuò.

This machine requires manual operation.

感音乐让全场气氛活跃起来。

Dònggǎn yīnyuè ràng quán chǎng qìfēn huóyuè qǐlái.

The dynamic music made the whole atmosphere lively.

经济发展是政府的重要任务。

Tuīdòng jīngjì fāzhǎn shì zhèngfǔ de zhòngyào rènwù.

Promoting economic development is an important task for the government.

脑筋解决问题是学习的关键。

Dòng nǎojīn jiějué wèntí shì xuéxí de guānjiàn.

Using your brain to solve problems is the key to learning.