Chinese word

动作

Pronunciation

Pinyindòng zuò

Meaning

  • nounmovement

Example

他的动作很快，反应很灵敏。tā de dòng zuò hěn kuài fǎn yìng hěn líng mǐn

His movements are quick, and his reactions are sharp.

Illustration for 动作 (movement)

More examples

孩子们看老师的动作学做。hái zi men kàn lǎo shī de dòng zuò xué zuò

The children watch the teacher's movements and learn to copy them.

Core concept

The outward form of doing something, shown in a movement, gesture, or manner of performance.

Common phrases

  • 看动作kàn dòng zuò

    watch the movements

  • 跟着动作做gēn zhe dòng zuò zuò

    follow the movements

Similar words

行为xíng wéi: The things a person or animal does and the way it behaves.
反应fǎn yìng: A response from the body or mind to something that happens.
手势shǒu shì: A set hand movement used to communicate meaning or give a sign.
姿势zī shì: The way the body is held when standing, sitting, or moving.

Definition in Chinese

作名词，表示人或物表现出的具体移动、手势或表情，也可指动作发生的过程或具体方式。zuò míng cí biǎo shì rén huò wù biǎo xiàn chū de jù tǐ yí dòng shǒu shì huò biǎo qíng yě kě zhǐ dòng zuò fā shēng de guò chéng huò jù tǐ fāng shì

Word origin

动 (dòng, "move") and 作 (zuò, "do") join the ideas of movement and doing to form a noun for the way an act appears.

Usage tips

  • When describing speed or skill, this noun focuses on what can be seen in a person's performance rather than on the person's intention.

Other meanings

  • gesturenoun
  • actionnoun

Word lists with this word