動: the kanji for move and motion
動 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means move, motion. Below are its readings, 13 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
動 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
動 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 13 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ドウ (dou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 動物どうぶつ · dōbutsu | animal |
| 運動うんどう · undō | exercise |
| 活動かつどう · katsudō | activity |
| 行動こうどう · kōdō | action; behavior |
| 自動じどう · jidō | automatic |
| 移動いどう · idō | moving; transfer |
| 動画どうが · dōga | video |
| 感動かんどう · kandō | being moved emotionally |
| 異動いどう · idō | personnel transfer |
| 動作どうさ · dōsa | movement; operation |
うごく (ugoku)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 動くうごく · ugoku | to move; to work (machine) |
| 動きうごき · ugoki | movement |
うごかす (ugokasu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 動かすうごかす · ugokasu | to move (something) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- このコピー機は動きません。Kono kopīki wa ugokimasen.This copier isn't working.
- 四月に大阪支社へ異動します。Shigatsu ni Ōsaka shisha e idō shimasu.I'm being transferred to the Osaka branch in April.
- 会議室へ移動しましょう。Kaigishitsu e idō shimashō.Let's move to the meeting room.
- 毎朝少し運動しています。Maiasa sukoshi undō shite imasu.I get a little exercise every morning.
- 使い方の動画を送ります。Tsukaikata no dōga o okurimasu.I'll send you a video showing how to use it.
- 机を少し動かしてもいいですか。Tsukue o sukoshi ugokashite mo ii desu ka.May I move the desk a little?
Questions about 動
How many strokes does 動 have?
動 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 動?
The on readings are dou (ドウ). The kun readings are ugoku (うごく), ugokasu (うごかす).
What is the difference between 移動 and 異動?
Both are read idō. 移動 means moving from one place to another. 異動 means a personnel transfer to another department or office, and it is common in Japanese companies each April.
What JLPT level is 動?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 動
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.