動 means “move”

うごく · ugoku

Also: motion, change, confusion

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

うごく, うごかす

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ドウ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 3 · 11 strokes

The story

A heavy load (重) and strength (力) applied to it: movement as effort against weight. Animals are 動物, "moving things"; deep emotion is 感動, the heart itself set in motion.

Used in 動く (ugoku, to move), 動物 (doubutsu, animal), and 運動 (undou, exercise)

Words with 動

• 自動車 (じどうしゃ, jidousha): automobile

More from Motion & Change

• 集 gather
• 別 separate
• 引 pull
• 使 use
• 始 begin
• 終 end
• 止 stop
• 転 revolve
• 起 wake
• 去 leave
• 注 pour
• 自 oneself

Learn 動 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.