dòngzuò: 动作 - Action, Movement, Motion

Keywords: 动作, dòngzuò, Chinese for action, Chinese for movement, what does dongzuo mean, action in Chinese, physical movement Chinese, dance move Chinese, movie action, HSK 3 vocabulary.

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 动作 (dòngzuò), which means “action,” “movement,” or “motion.” This page breaks down its meaning, from simple physical movements and dance moves to its use in “action movies” (动作片). Discover the crucial difference between 动作 (dòngzuò) and a similar word, 行动 (xíngdòng), to understand how to describe physical actions versus strategic plans in Mandarin Chinese.

Pinyin (with tone marks): dòngzuò

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: 3

Concise Definition: A physical movement, an action, or a motion.

In a Nutshell: 动作 (dòngzuò) is the go-to word for describing any kind of physical movement. Think of it as the building block of physical activity. It can be a single, simple gesture like waving your hand, a complex sequence in a dance routine, a specific technique in martial arts, or the on-screen action in a blockbuster film. It's concrete, observable, and almost always about the body moving through space.

动 (dòng): This character means “to move.” It's composed of 重 (zhòng), meaning “heavy,” and 力 (lì), meaning “strength” or “power.” Imagine using all your strength (力) to move something heavy (重)—that's the essence of 动 (dòng).

作 (zuò): This character means “to do,” “to make,” or “to compose.” It features the person radical (亻) on the left and a component (乍 zhà) that suggests a sudden action. So, it represents a person (亻) doing or making something.

Together, 动作 (dòngzuò) literally translates to “move-make” or “movement-doing.” It combines the concept of “movement” (动) with the idea of a “made” or “performed” act (作), perfectly describing a specific, observable action.

Comparison to “Action” in English: This is a crucial point for learners. In English, “action” can be very abstract. We say “We need to take action on this problem” or refer to a “course of action.” This is not 动作 (dòngzuò). The Chinese equivalent for that abstract, planned “action” is 行动 (xíngdòng). 动作 (dòngzuò) is almost exclusively tied to the physical realm. You perform a 动作 with your body; you take 行动 with a plan.

行动 (xíngdòng) - Action, operation. A planned, purposeful action, not just a physical movement. The most important term to contrast with 动作.

活动 (huódòng) - Activity, event. A broader term for things people do, like a party or a campaign (e.g., “school activities” 学校活动). An activity is made up of many actions (动作).

行为 (xíngwéi) - Behavior, conduct. Refers to a person's pattern of actions, often with a moral or psychological dimension (e.g., “good behavior” 良好行为).

姿势 (zīshì) - Posture, pose. This describes a static position or stance, whereas 动作 describes the dynamic movement between positions.

舞蹈 (wǔdǎo) - Dance. An art form composed of a series of 动作.

武术 (wǔshù) - Martial Arts. A discipline centered around specific fighting 动作.

动作片 (dòngzuò piàn) - Action movie. A film genre characterized by physical action sequences.

慢动作 (màn dòngzuò) - Slow motion. A special effect that slows down physical movement.