Chinese word

生动

Pronunciation

Pinyinshēng dòng

Meaning

  • adjectivelively

Example

这个故事很生动，孩子们都很喜欢。zhè ge gù shì hěn shēng dòng hái zi men dōu hěn xǐ huān

This story is very lively, and all the children like it.

Illustration for 生动 (lively)

More examples

昨天的生动的表演赢得了大家的掌声。zuó tiān de shēng dòng de biáo yǎn yíng dé le dà jiā de zhǎng shēng

Yesterday's lively performance won everyone's applause.

Core concept

Words, scenes, or performances seem alive and moving, so details form a clear picture in the mind.

Common phrases

  • 生动的表演shēng dòng de biáo yǎn

    lively performance

  • 讲得生动jiǎng de shēng dòng

    speak vividly

  • 生动的例子shēng dòng de lì zi

    vivid example

Similar words

活泼huó pō: Showing a lively nature through cheerful energy and active movement.
有趣yǒu qù: Having content that catches interest and gives people enjoyment.
具体jù tǐ: Containing detailed facts and explanations that clearly show what something is.

Definition in Chinese

形容叙述、描写或表演具有鲜活的细节和动作感，使听者或读者容易在脑中形成具体的画面。xíng róng xù shù miáo xiě huò biáo yǎn jù yǒu xiān huó de xì jié hé dòng zuò gǎn shǐ tīng zhě huò dú zhě róng yì zài nǎo zhōng xíng chéng jù tǐ de huà miàn

Word origin

生动 (shēngdòng, "lively") combines 生 (shēng, "life") and 动 (dòng, "movement"), suggesting language or performance that seems alive and in motion.

Usage tips

  • This adjective is especially useful for praising storytelling, explanations, and performances that make scenes easy to picture, rather than for commenting on someone's general mood or activity level.

Other meanings

  • vividadjective
  • lifelikeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 生动活泼shēng dòng huó pōlively and vivaciousidiom

Word lists with this word