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

Definition

动笔 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to start writing' or 'to put pen to paper'. The verb 动 and the object 笔 can be separated by aspect markers (了, 过), measure words (一次), or duration (三天). For example, 动了一次笔 means 'started writing once'. It is often used in negative patterns like 没动笔 (haven't started writing).

v.o.

to start writingto put pen to paper

Examples

动笔。
Wǒ hěn jiǔ méiyǒu 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 shénme shíhou kāishǐ dòng bǐ?
When will you start writing?

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