跃动 (yuè dòng) — to move up and down; to quiver

Definition

Used for things that move up and down or quiver with energy — like leaves, flags, or a heart/chest in motion. More vivid and dynamic than the plain 动 ("to move"), suggesting pulsing or lively movement rather than simple displacement.

verb
to move up and downto quiver

Examples

  • 跃动。
    Shù yè zài fēng zhōng qīng qīng yuè dòng.
    Leaves gently quiver in the wind.
  • ，跃动。
    Tā de xīn tiào dé lì hài, xiōng kǒu míng xiǎn yuè dòng.
    His heart beats strongly, his chest visibly quivers.
  • 跃动。
    Qí zi zài fēng zhōng bù tíng yuè dòng.
    The flag keeps fluttering in the wind.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

跃yuèleap
动dòngmove

跃 (leap) and 动 (move) combine to suggest a quick up-and-down motion.

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 躍; 跃 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
翟
翟zhái躍yuè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 躍 pairs 足 (foot) with 翟, which gives the pronunciation; the simplified 跃 is a later abbreviation, so its parts are not the original components.

Open 跃 →

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 →

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