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起动 (qǐ dòng) — to start, to launch (a motor, engine, or computer application)

Definition

Refers specifically to starting up a machine, engine, or software — not people or events. Closer to 启动, but more often used for hardware/engines than for abstract launches.

verb
to startto launch (a motor, engine, or computer application)

Examples

  • 起动。
    Tā qǐ dòng le qì chē de fā dòng jī.
    He started the car's engine.
  • 起动。
    Qǐng qǐ dòng diàn nǎo shàng de liú lǎn qì.
    Please launch the browser on the computer.
  • 起动。
    Zhè ge chéng xù xū yào chóng xīn qǐ dòng.
    This program needs to be restarted.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

起qǐset in motion
动dòngmove

起 and 动 both mean to set in motion, so 起动 describes making an engine or program begin running.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
走走zǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì起qǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Open 起 →

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 →
Appears in
Technology & Engineering

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