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舞动 (wǔ dòng) — to brandish; to wave (a sword, flag, etc.); to dance; to move rhythmically

Definition

Literary verb combining 舞 ('dance') and 动 ('move') to describe something that moves as if dancing — a flag in the wind, a sword in hand, a body to music. Reads as more vivid and written than 摇 (shake) or 挥 (wave).

verb
to brandishto wave (a sword, flag, etc.)to danceto move rhythmically

Examples

  • 舞动。
    Tā shǒu lǐ wǔ dòng zhe yì bǎ cháng jiàn.
    He was brandishing a long sword in his hand.
  • 舞动。
    Dòng rén de xuán lǜ ràng rén rěn bú zhù wǔ dòng shēn tǐ.
    The touching melody makes people want to dance involuntarily.
  • 舞动，。
    Cǎi qí zài fēng zhōng wǔ dòng, jǐng sè shí fēn zhuàng guān.
    The colorful flags waved in the wind, creating a magnificent scene.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

舞wǔdance
动dòngmove

舞 (dance) and 动 (move) together express moving in a dance-like way, or waving/brandishing something.

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
舛舛chuǎnsteps, feet in convergent direction
Sound part声符shēngfú
無
無wú舞wǔ
Same sound today

舞 combines 舛, showing feet in converging steps, with 無 above. 無 gave the sound and also preserved its older meaning of dancing, so the shape points to dancing.

Open 舞 →

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
Dance & Performance

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