動

Move

うご(く) (ugoku), うご(かす) (ugokasu)

JLPT N4

Interesting Fact

The word 動物 (doubutsu), meaning 'animal,' literally means 'moving thing.' Ancient people noticed that animals move on their own, unlike rocks or plants.

Memory Trick

Imagine a robot suddenly coming to life and starting to walk. That motion helps you remember 動 means 'move.'

Readings

Onyomi: ドウ (dou)

Kunyomi: うご(く) (ugoku), うご(かす) (ugokasu)

Example Words

動く

うごく (ugoku)

To move

動物

どうぶつ (doubutsu)

Animal

運動

うんどう (undou)

Exercise

自動車

じどうしゃ (jidousha)

Automobile

Example Sentence

その箱は動きません。

そのはこはうごきません。

sono hako wa ugokimasen

That box does not move.

Related Kanjis