How to Write 动 (dòng) — Meaning “move; action”

Imagine a cloud (云) pushing with strength (力) to move across the sky — that motion is 'move' or 'action'. You can also think of a strong cloud that makes things move, like in sports or exercise.

Write left part 云 first (horizontal, horizontal, slant fold, dot), then right part 力 (horizontal bend hook, slant). Make sure the left side is narrow and the right side extends lower. A common mistake is writing the dot of 云 too high or forgetting the hook at the bottom of 力.

动 has a 云 (cloud) shape on the left, while 劝 has 又 (a cross shape) on the left, and 办 has 力 on the left with two dots (八) on the right. Visually, remember that 动's left side looks like a cloud, not a hand or a power radical.

动 appears in everyday words like 运动 (sports/exercise), 动物 (animals, literally 'moving things'), and 动作 (actions). It's a basic HSK 1 character used for any physical movement or action. There is no special cultural nuance — it's simply a common, neutral word for 'move'.

Common words containing 动 include: 运动 (yùn dòng) — sports; exercise; movement; 动物 (dòng wù) — animal (traditional); 动作 (dòng zuò) — movement; action.