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

Originating from the traditional character "動", which combines the semantic elements of "重" for weight and "力" for force, the character initially conveyed the concept of imparting motion to a heavy object through applied strength. Its meaning gradually extended to cover all types of movement, including abstract actions and internal changes, reflecting a generalization from physical to metaphorical contexts. The contemporary simplified form "动" preserves the "力" component but substitutes "重" with "云", a structural modification that simplifies writing while the character continues to denote acts of moving, operating, or stirring.

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.