What does 动 mean in Chinese?

动 (dòng) means "(of sth) to move; to set in movement; to displace; to touch; to make use of; to stir (emotions); to alter; abbr. for 動詞|动词[dong4 ci2], verb" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 2.

How do you pronounce 动?

动 is pronounced "dòng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 动?

动 is an HSK 2 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.

What words contain the character 动?

Common words with 动 include 主动 (to take the initiative), 不动声色 (not a word or movement (idiom); remaining calm and collected), 不动 (motionless), 不动摇 (unmoved), 不动产 (real estate).

How do you write 动?

动 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 力. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

动 (dòng), (of sth) to move

动

dòng

(of sth) to move; to set in movement; to displace; to touch

HSK 2 New to HSKverb6 strokes

Traditional: 動

Character Breakdown

动 = 云 + 力

Clouds pushed by force — to move

Radical: 力 (no. 19)Strokes: 6Traditional: 動

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) (of sth) to move
to set in movement
to displace
to touch
to make use of
to stir (emotions)
to alter
abbr. for 動詞|动词[dong4 ci2], verb

Example Sentences

别动我的东西。

Bié dòng wǒ de dōngxi

Don't touch my things

Words Containing 动

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
主动	zhǔ dòng	to take the initiative	HSK 5
不动声色	bù dòng shēng sè	not a word or movement (idiom); remaining calm and collected
不动	bù dòng	motionless
不动摇	bù dòng yáo	unmoved
不动产

Related Words

触(chù)· to touch

→

五卅(wǔ sà)· abbr. for 五卅運動|五卅运动[wu3 sa4 yun4 dong4], The May Thirtieth Movement (1925)

→

触动(chù dòng)· to touch

→

一举一动(yī jǔ yī dòng)· every movement

→

Grammar Notes

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Experience with 过HSK 2

Subject + Verb + 过 (+ Object)

Towards/About (对)HSK 2

Subject + 对 + Object + Verb/Adjective

Potential Complement (得了/不了)HSK 3

Verb + 得/不 + Complement (result/direction)

Let Alone (别说...就是)HSK 4

别说 + Extreme Case + 了, 就是/连 + Lesser Case + 都/也 + Predicate

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 2
HSK 2.0: Not listed
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

动: New to the HSK lists at HSK 2. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 2 exam

Studying for HSK 2? Keep 动 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 2 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.