Japanese word

動作

Pronunciation

Romajidōsa

Meaning

  • nounmovement

Example

その動作はとても速いです。so no dō sa wa to te mo haya i de su

That movement is very fast.

Illustration for 動作 (movement)

More examples

先生の手の動作をまねてください。sen sei no te no dō sa o ma ne te ku da sa i

Please imitate the movement of the teacher's hand.

Core concept

It describes a visible movement or physical act, focusing on how a person or thing carries it out.

Common phrases

  • 動作が速いdō sa ga haya i

    fast movement

  • 動作をまねるdō sa o ma ne ru

    imitate a movement

Similar words

動きugoki: A change in position or a way of moving.
行動kōdō: An act or set of acts that a person carries out.
仕草shigusa: A small movement or gesture that expresses a feeling or intention.

Definition in Japanese

人や物の動き、または何かをするときの身のこなし。hito ya mono no ugo ki ma ta wa nan ka o su ru to ki no mi no ko na shi

Word origin

動作 (dōsa) combines 動 (dō, "move") and 作 (sa, "make or do"), forming a word for a movement or act performed by a person or thing.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 動作 (dōsa) also describes the operation of a machine, so it can refer to how smoothly a device works.

Other meanings

  • actionnoun
  • gesturenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word