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动情 (dòng qíng) — to become emotionally stirred, to be moved (romantically or emotionally); to have one's sexual passions aroused

Definition

动情 (dòngqíng) means to be emotionally stirred — most often romantic or sexual attraction, not general sentiment. The separable form 动了情 highlights the moment feelings are triggered.

verb
to become emotionally stirredto be moved (romantically or emotionally)to have one's sexual passions aroused

Examples

  • 动情。
    Tā duì tā dòng qíng le.
    He became emotionally attached to her.
  • 。
    Tā kàn le nà bù diàn yǐng hòu dòng le qíng.
    After watching that movie, he was emotionally stirred.
  • 动情。
    Liǎng rén hěn kuài jiù dòng qíng le.
    The two quickly became emotionally involved.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

动dòngstir
情qíngemotion

动 means 'to stir' and 情 means 'emotion', describing emotions being stirred.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
重
重zhòng動dòng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Open 动 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
青
青qīng情qíng
Same sound today

情 shows 心 (heart) beside 青, which gives the sound. The heart part points to feelings and inner states.

Open 情 →
Appears in
Emotions & FeelingsRomance & Marriage

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