dòngmàn: 动漫 - Animation, Anime, and Comics

• Keywords: dongman, 动漫, Chinese anime, Chinese animation, manga, comics in Chinese, what is dongman, ACG culture, donghua, manhua, 二次元, pop culture
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 动漫 (dòngmàn), the essential Chinese umbrella term for the vibrant world of anime, animation, and comics. This guide explores the cultural significance of dongman in China, distinguishing it from Western “cartoons” and Japanese “anime”. Discover how to use 动漫 in conversation with practical examples, and delve into related concepts like ACG and 二次元 (èrcìyuán) to understand a core pillar of modern Chinese pop culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dòngmàn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A collective term for animation (anime) and comics (manga).
• In a Nutshell: 动漫 (dòngmàn) is the go-to word in modern China for the entire culture surrounding animation and comics. It's a portmanteau, blending the words for “animation” and “comics” into one powerful concept. While it can refer to any animated work, it most strongly carries the connotation of Japanese-style anime and the increasingly popular Chinese-produced “donghua.” Think of it as China's single-word equivalent to “anime and manga culture,” encompassing not just the media itself, but also the fandom, conventions, merchandise, and online communities that thrive around it.

• 动 (dòng): This character means “to move,” “action,” or “dynamic.” It's the key character in the word 动画 (dònghuà), meaning “animation” (literally “moving pictures”).
• 漫 (màn): This character means “free” or “unrestrained.” It's the key character in the word 漫画 (mànhuà), meaning “comics” or “manga” (literally “unrestrained pictures”).
• The word 动漫 (dòngmàn) brilliantly combines the first character of 动画 (animation) and the first character of 漫画 (comics) to create a single, efficient term that covers the entire medium and its associated subculture.

In the West, there's often a line drawn between “cartoons” (seen as for children) and “animation” (a broader art form). 动漫 (dòngmàn) largely erases that line. It functions more like the Japanese term “anime,” referring to a specific style and genre of animation and comics that appeals to all ages, often featuring complex plots and mature themes. Initially, the term was heavily associated with the massive influx of Japanese anime and manga that became popular in China in the 1990s and 2000s. For a generation of Chinese youth, 动漫 was their window into fantastical worlds and a cornerstone of their entertainment. Today, 动漫 has evolved. It now proudly includes the booming domestic Chinese animation industry, often referred to as 国漫 (guómàn). Works like “Ne Zha” (哪吒之魔童降世) and “The King's Avatar” (全职高手) are massive hits, creating a distinct Chinese 动漫 identity. The term is central to the concept of ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games), a trifecta that forms the backbone of modern youth subculture in China. To understand young China is to understand the world of 动漫.

动漫 is an extremely common, informal word used in everyday life, especially among people under 40.

• Discussing Hobbies: It's the standard way to refer to your interest in anime and manga. You would say “我喜欢看动漫” (I like to watch dongman).
• On Social Media: The hashtag `#动漫#` is one of the largest and most active on platforms like Weibo and Bilibili (a video-sharing site often called the “YouTube of ACG” in China).
• Industry and News: Media outlets and companies use 动漫 to refer to the animation and comics industry as a whole (e.g., “the 动漫 market”).
• Describing People and Things: You can use it as a modifier, like in 动漫迷 (dòngmàn mí), which means “anime/comics fan,” or 动漫展 (dòngmàn zhǎn), an “anime/comics convention.”

The connotation is generally positive or neutral, associated with creativity, youth culture, and a globally popular form of entertainment.

• Example 1:
  • 我周末就喜欢在家看动漫。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhōumò jiù xǐhuān zàijiā kàn dòngmàn.
  • English: On weekends, I just like to stay home and watch anime/animation.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence for stating a hobby. “看 (kàn)” here means “to watch,” as 动漫 is often used with a focus on the animation aspect.
• Example 2:
  • 你最喜欢哪部动漫？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuì xǐhuān nǎ bù dòngmàn?
  • English: Which anime/animated series is your favorite?
  • Analysis: “部 (bù)” is a measure word for films, series, or works of literature. This is a great conversation starter.
• Example 3:
  • 这部动漫的画风和音乐都很棒。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù dòngmàn de huàfēng hé yīnyuè dōu hěn bàng.
  • English: The art style and music of this anime are both excellent.
  • Analysis: Shows how 动漫 is used to critique or praise a specific work. “画风 (huàfēng)” means “art style.”
• Example 4:
  • 中国的动漫产业现在发展得非常快。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de dòngmàn chǎnyè xiànzài fāzhǎn dé fēicháng kuài.
  • English: China's animation and comics industry is developing very rapidly right now.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 动漫 in a more formal, economic context to refer to the entire industry.
• Example 5:
  • 我们这个星期六一起去动漫展，怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhège xīngqíliù yīqǐ qù dòngmàn zhǎn, zěnme yàng?
  • English: How about we go to the anime convention together this Saturday?
  • Analysis: Here, 动漫 acts as an adjective modifying “展 (zhǎn)” (exhibition/convention).
• Example 6:
  • 他是个十足的动漫迷，房间里全是手办。
  • Pinyin: Tā shìgè shízú de dòngmàn mí, fángjiān lǐ quán shì shǒubàn.
  • English: He's a total anime fan; his room is full of character figurines.
  • Analysis: “动漫迷 (dòngmàn mí)” is the standard term for an anime/manga fan, similar to “otaku.” “手办 (shǒubàn)” are collectible figurines.
• Example 7:
  • 我最近在追一部很火的国产动漫。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn zài zhuī yī bù hěn huǒ de guóchǎn dòngmàn.
  • English: I'm currently following a very popular Chinese-made anime series.
  • Analysis: “追 (zhuī)” means “to follow” a series. “国产 (guóchǎn)” specifies that it's a domestic production, a point of growing pride.
• Example 8:
  • 这部动漫的剧情太感人了，我都看哭了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù dòngmàn de jùqíng tài gǎnrén le, wǒ dōu kàn kū le.
  • English: The plot of this anime is so moving, it made me cry.
  • Analysis: Highlights that 动漫 is not just for kids and often deals with emotional, complex stories (“剧情 jùqíng” - plot).
• Example 9:
  • B站上有很多免费的动漫可以看。
  • Pinyin: B zhàn shàng yǒu hěnduō miǎnfèi de dòngmàn kěyǐ kàn.
  • English: There is a lot of free anime/animation to watch on Bilibili.
  • Analysis: “B站 (B zhàn)” is the common nickname for Bilibili, the premier platform for 动漫 culture in China.
• Example 10:
  • 很多动漫角色比真人明星还受欢迎。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō dòngmàn juésè bǐ zhēnrén míngxīng hái shòu huānyíng.
  • English: Many anime/comic characters are even more popular than real-life celebrities.
  • Analysis: This sentence speaks to the immense cultural power and influence of the 动漫 world.

• False Friend: “Cartoon”
  • The most common mistake is to equate 动漫 with the English word “cartoon.” Calling a serious series like *Attack on Titan* a “cartoon” can sound dismissive. 动漫 carries a sense of artistic and narrative depth that “cartoon” often lacks in English.
• 动漫 (dòngmàn) vs. 动画 (dònghuà) vs. 漫画 (mànhuà)
  • This is the most important nuance.
  • 动画 (dònghuà): Refers ONLY to animation (the moving show). You watch (看) a 动画.
  • 漫画 (mànhuà): Refers ONLY to comics (the paper or digital book). You read (看) a 漫画.
  • 动漫 (dòngmàn): Is the umbrella term for the culture, hobby, and industry of both.
  • Incorrect Usage: “我昨天读了一部动漫。” (I read a dongman yesterday.)
  • Why it's wrong: While understandable, it's imprecise. You don't “read” the animation part.
  • Better: “我昨天读了一部漫画。” (I read a comic/manga yesterday.)
  • Correct Usage: “我喜欢动漫，尤其爱看热血类的动画和搞笑类的漫画。” (I like dongman, especially watching hot-blooded anime and reading comedy manga.)

• 动画 (dònghuà) - Animation. The “moving pictures” part of 动漫.
• 漫画 (mànhuà) - Comics/Manga. The “unrestrained pictures” part of 动漫.
• 国漫 (guómàn) - A portmanteau for 国产动漫 (guóchǎn dòngmàn), referring specifically to works produced in mainland China.
• 二次元 (èrcìyuán) - “The 2D World.” A popular slang term for the fictional universe of anime, comics, and games, and the subculture that loves it.
• ACG - The English acronym for “Anime, Comics, and Games,” a term widely used in China to describe this interconnected fandom.
• 新番 (xīnfān) - “New Series.” Borrowed from Japanese, this term refers to the new slate of anime released each season (winter, spring, summer, fall).
• 声优 (shēngyōu) - “Voice Actor.” Another term borrowed directly from the Japanese (seiyuu), used instead of the more general term 演员 (yǎnyuán - actor).
• 手办 (shǒubàn) - Collectible figurines of characters, a major part of the merchandising culture.
• cosplay / 角色扮演 (juésè bànyǎn) - The practice of dressing up as characters from the 动漫 world.