发动 (fā dòng) — to start (a machine, engine); to launch, to initiate (a war, campaign, event); to mobilize, to arouse (people, masses)
Definition
发动 spans both senses: starting a machine (like 启动/开动) and mobilizing people for a campaign. Compared with 开展 ('carry out an activity'), 发动 focuses on rousing participants before action begins.
verb
to start (a machine, engine)to launchto initiate (a war, campaign, event)to mobilizeto arouse (people, masses)
Examples
- 发动。Tā fā dòng le qì chē jiù chū fā le.He started the car and set off.
- 发动。Xué xiào fā dòng le yì chǎng huán bǎo yùn dòng.The school launched an environmental campaign.
- 发动。Shè qū gàn bù fā dòng jū mín cān yù qīng lǐ gōng zuò.Community officials mobilized residents to participate in the cleaning work.
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