Meaning of 发动
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to start
- to launch
- to unleash
- to mobilize
- to arouse
How to use 发动
发动 is used for starting machines, especially engines and cars, and for launching large actions like attacks, campaigns, or getting people mobilized. Example: 他发动了汽车。(Tā fādòng le qìchē.) He started the car.
发 (fā) means to send out, and 动 (dòng) means to move. To 发动 is to send something into motion, like turning a key so the engine starts moving.
Common mistake: Learners often use 发动 for starting everyday activities, like 发动工作. For that, use 开始 (kāishǐ). 发动 is for engines, attacks, campaigns, and mobilizing people. Also keep 发 in the first tone, fā, not the fourth-tone fà from 头发 (tóufa).
发动 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
发 fā · to send out · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
动 dòng · to move · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 发动.
| 动作 | dòngzuò | movement; motion; action; to act; to move |
| 发现 | fāxiàn | to notice; to become aware of; to discover; to find; to detect |
| 行动 | xíngdòng | operation; action |
| 动物 | dòngwù | animal |
| 出发 | chūfā | to set off; to start (on a journey); (fig.) to proceed from (a particular standpoint or ba |
| 头发 | tóufa | hair (on the head) |
| 活动 | huódòng | to exercise; to move about; to work out; shaky; unsteady; loose (tooth etc) |
| 运动 | yùndòng | to move; to exercise |
| 感动 | gǎndòng | to move (sb); to touch (sb emotionally) |
| 动物园 | dòngwùyuán | zoo |
| 发生 | fāshēng | to happen; to occur; to take place; to arise (e.g. 發生問題|发生问题[fa1 sheng1 wen4 ti2] "a probl |
| 发展 | fāzhǎn | development; growth |
Questions about 发动
What does 发动 mean?
发动 (fādòng) means "to start; to launch" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 发动?
发动 is made of 2 characters: 发 (5 strokes), 动 (6 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 发动 an HSK word?
Yes. 发动 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 发动 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 发动 is written 發動.
What is the difference between 发动 and 启动?
Both can mean to start a machine. 启动 (qǐdòng) is common for computers, systems, and projects. 发动 is more typical for engines and for launching wars, attacks, or mass movements.
Can 发动 be used with people as the object?
Yes. 发动群众 (fādòng qúnzhòng) means to mobilize the masses, and 发动大家 means to get everyone involved. Here it means rousing people to take action.