TongTong
Sign in

动笔 (dòng bǐ) — to start writing; to put pen to paper

Definition

动笔 (dòng bǐ) is a separable verb meaning 'put pen to paper' / 'start writing' — it emphasizes the moment of beginning to write, often in contrast to thinking or planning first.

verb
to start writingto put pen to paper

Examples

  • 动笔。
    Wǒ hěn jiǔ méi yǒu dòng bǐ le.
    I haven't started writing for a long time.
  • ，。
    Tā dòng le yí cì bǐ, jiù xiě wán le.
    He started writing once and finished it.
  • 动笔？
    Nǐ shén me shí hou kāi shǐ dòng bǐ?
    When will you start writing?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

动dòngput into motion
笔bǐpen

“动” gives putting into motion and “笔” is the pen, together meaning start writing.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 筆; 笔 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
聿
聿yù筆bǐ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The simplified 笔 is based on the traditional form 筆, which puts 竹 (bamboo) beside 聿 (writing brush). 聿 already meant the brush and supplied the sound; 竹 was added later to show it was made of bamboo.

Open 笔 →
Appears in
Reading & Writing

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.