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动作 (dòng zuò) — movement, motion, action

Definition

动作 (dòngzuò) is a concrete, everyday noun for a physical 'movement' or 'action' — usually a single gesture or motion of the body. 运动 is exercise or sports, 行动 is a deliberate planned action.

noun
movementmotionaction
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 动作。
    Zhè ge dòng zuò hěn róng yì zuò.
    This movement is very easy to do.
  • ，动作。
    Tā pǎo bù de shí hou, dòng zuò hěn kuài.
    When he runs, his movements are fast.
  • 动作。
    Diàn yǐng lǐ de dòng zuò hěn yǒu yì si.
    The actions in the movie are very interesting.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

动dòngmove
作zuòact/do

动作: 动 plus 作, a moving act.

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
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
乍
乍zhà作zuò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left side 亻 comes from 人, meaning 'person', and the right side 乍 gives the sound.

Open 作 →
Appears in
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