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 means action or behavior, especially something done toward a purpose.
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 means activity or organized action toward a purpose.
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 means an animal. In everyday use, it usually means a nonhuman creature.
It combines 動 (move) with 物 (thing) to show a moving living thing.
Yui and her friends get permission to ride the train to continue their search for the legendary giant robot. Tickets are listed as 70 yen for children.
- さっちゃん:
- 「動物園はタダなのに」
- “Even though the zoo is free...”
- 結衣:
- 「電車は動物より強い」
- “Trains are stronger than animals.”
- 琴葉:
- 「ティラノサウルスより強い」
- “Stronger than a Tyrannosaurus.”
