verb HSK 2
Traditional 動
to move · to act · to touch · to use
Meaning
动 is a fundamental verb meaning 'to move' or 'to act.' It describes physical movement, taking action, being emotionally moved, or using something. It appears in countless compound words and is one of the most versatile characters in Mandarin.
Usage
动 is extremely common in everyday speech and appears in many set phrases. It can describe literal movement (动一下 'move a bit'), emotional response (感动 'to be moved/touched'), or the initiation of action (动手 'to start work/to hit'). It frequently combines with other verbs to form compound words.
Examples
- 01请不要动我的东西。.Please don't touch my things.
- 02他的故事让我很感动。.His story moved me deeply.
Common collocations
- 动手to start work, to touch, to hit
- 动脑筋to use one's brain, to think
- 感动to be moved/touched (emotionally)
- 别动don't move
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 動 shows 重 (heavy) on the left and 力 (strength) on the right, suggesting the application of force to move something heavy. The simplified form 动 uses 云 (cloud) as a phonetic component.