動
move · motion · change · confusion · shift · shake
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
left-right: 重 + power
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of heavy and power. Power to move heavy things.
Symbolism
Action, exercise, emotion. Represents change and vitality.
Anime & Manga
機動戦士ガンダム
Mobile Suit Gundam(1979)
Origin of mecha anime fighting with 'mobile' weapons.
View on Amazon →Games
どうぶつの森
Animal Crossing(2001)
Developer: Nintendo
Slow life living with 'animals.'
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一挙一動
いっきょいちどう
one's every action; every single move; one's every action
驚天動地
きょうてんどうち
astounding; startling; world-shaking; astounding
軽挙妄動
けいきょもうどう
rash and blind act; rash and blind act
直立不動
ちょくりつふどう
standing at attention; standing stiffly upright; standing at attention
行動半径
こうどうはんけい
radius of action; combat radius; sphere of activity; radius of action
確固不動
かっこふどう
unshakeable (e.g. belief); invincible; steadfastness; unshakeable (e.g. belief)
陽動作戦
ようどうさくせん
diversionary tactics; diversionary tactics
震天動地
しんてんどうち
earth-shaking; earth-shaking
教唆扇動
きょうさせんどう
instigation and abetment; instigation and abetment
大山鳴動
たいざんめいどう
big fuss over nothing; much cry and little wool; much ado about nothing; big fuss over nothing
気韻生動
きいんせいどう
being animated (vivid) with grace (elegance, refinement); being animated (vivid) with grace (elegance, refinement)
雲煙飛動
うんえんひどう
flying clouds and drifting haze; magnificent calligraphy; vivid penmanship; flying clouds and drifting haze
強権発動
きょうけんはつどう
invoking the coercive power of the state; calling upon the power of the state; invoking the coercive power of the state
Proverbs & Idioms
動かぬ証拠
うごかぬしょうこ
Undeniable evidence
Proof that cannot be disputed
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 動 mean in Japanese?
動 means move, motion, change, confusion, shift, shake.
How do you read 動?
On'yomi: ドウ (DOU). Kun'yomi: うご.く、うご.かす (ugoku, ugokasu).
How many strokes does 動 have?
動 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 力 (power).
Is 動 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 動 (move, motion, change, confusion, shift, shake) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for move · kanji for change · kanji for shift · kanji for shake