動 meaning and stroke order
To move, to happen; movement, action
How to write 動, stroke by stroke
11 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
Meaning of 動
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (of sth) to move
- to set in movement
- to displace
- to touch
- to make use of
- to stir (emotions)
How 動 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Strength.
力 gives the meaning and 重 hints at the sound.
Radical: 力 (strength), shared by 44 characters on this site.
How to remember 動
動 combines 重 (zhòng, heavy) with 力 (lì, strength). It takes strength 力 to move something heavy 重, and 重 also hints at the sound dòng.
動 is the traditional form, and mainland China writes it 动. It appears in many everyday words like 动物 (dòngwù, animal), 运动 (yùndòng, to exercise) and 感动 (gǎndòng, to be moved emotionally). Example: 别动。(Bié dòng.) Don't move.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 動 with 重 (zhòng, heavy) because 重 makes up most of its shape. Check for 力 on the right, and keep the falling fourth tone dòng rather than saying zhòng.
Common words with 動
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 動作 | dòngzuò | movement; motion; action; to act; to move | HSK 1 |
| 行動 | xíngdòng | operation; action | HSK 2 |
| 動物 | dòngwù | animal | HSK 2 |
| 活動 | huódòng | to exercise; to move about; to work out; shaky; unsteady; loose (tooth etc) | HSK 2 |
| 運動 | yùndòng | to move; to exercise | HSK 2 |
| 感動 | gǎndòng | to move (sb); to touch (sb emotionally) | HSK 2 |
| 動物園 | dòngwùyuán | zoo | HSK 2 |
| 發動 | fādòng | to start; to launch | HSK 3 |
| 自動 | zìdòng | automatic; voluntarily | HSK 3 |
| 主動 | zhǔdòng | to take the initiative; to do sth of one's own accord | HSK 3 |
| 動力 | dònglì | motive power; (fig.) motivation; impetus | HSK 3 |
| 推動 | tuīdòng | to push (e.g. for acceptance of a plan); to promote; to give impetus to | HSK 3 |
| 動人 | dòngrén | touching; moving | HSK 3 |
| 生動 | shēngdòng | (of descriptions, writing etc) vivid; lively | HSK 3 |
Questions about 動
How many strokes are in 動?
動 is written with 11 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 動 mean?
動 (dòng) means to move, to happen; movement, action. A common word with it is 动作 (dòngzuò), meaning "movement; motion; action; to act; to move".
How do you pronounce 動?
動 is pronounced dòng, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 動?
The radical of 動 is 力, which carries the idea of "strength". Dictionaries list 動 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 動?
動 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 动, used in mainland China and Singapore.
Why is 动物 (animal) written with the character for move?
动物 literally means a moving thing. It contrasts with 植物 (zhíwù), plants, which are things that grow in place.
Can 動 mean to touch or use something?
Yes. In phrases like 别动我的东西 (bié dòng wǒ de dōngxi), it means don't touch my things. 动脑 (dòng nǎo) means to use your brain.