Motion and activation with 動
動 means “to move”, “to work”, or “to do something”. It is used in a wide variety of contexts, such as a change in position (movement) or being emotionally moved (being touched).
Etymology
This kanji is a phono-semantic compound comprised of 重 as the phonetic component and 力 (strength) as the semantic component.
Actions
行動 (Action)
行動 refers to the actions and activities in which humans and animals engage when they move their bodies or take some kind of action with a specific purpose in mind.
It combines 行 (act) with 動 (move) to show movement into action.
Shin’ichi reveals the details of a murder. The culprit asks how Shin’ichi discovered the hidden weapon, and he explains it was due to a specific movement the culprit made.
- 新一:
- 「見逃しやすい細かな点こそ何よりも重要なんです…」
- “It's precisely those subtle details that are easy to overlook that matter most of all...”
- 「あの時のあなたの何気ない仕草が…」
- “That casual gesture of yours back then...”
- 「僕の目には異様な行動として焼きついてただけの事ですよ…」
- “It's just that it was etched in my mind as strange behavior...”
- “It's precisely those subtle details that are easy to overlook that matter most of all...”
活動 (Activity)
活動 refers to moving and working energetically with a specific purpose in mind. It encompasses the entire process of taking initiative to achieve a particular result or outcome.
It combines 活 (lively) with 動 (move) to show lively movement.
Sakurako forces Takeru to join the shogi club. When he suggests she join as well, she refuses and tells him not to go either, or else he’ll be in the way there.
- タケル:
- 「乗り気じゃなかったが入部した以上はしっかり活動する！」
- “I wasn't enthusiastic, but now that I'm in the club, I'll work hard!”
- 「それが男ってもんだ！！」
- “That's what it means to be a man!!”
- “I wasn't enthusiastic, but now that I'm in the club, I'll work hard!”
Living Things
動物 (Animal)
動物 refers to any living organism that possesses sensory and motor abilities and relies on other organisms for sustenance. It often refers to mammals, birds, reptiles, and other creatures other than humans.
It combines 動 (move) with 物 (thing) to show a moving living thing.
Chino is fascinated by the rabbit at a rival tea shop, but she keeps her distance.
- ココア:
- 「触らないの？」
- “You're not going to touch it?”
- リゼ:
- 「チノはティッピー以外の動物が懐かないらしい」
- “It seems that animals other than Tippy don't warm up to Chino.”
らしい indicates Rize is reporting something she heard or observed, rather than stating it as a confirmed fact.
