The kanji 動 represents "to move," "to change," or "to be in motion." It implies a shift in position, state, or activity. The core meaning focuses on the concept of something not being still or remaining in a fixed state.

・On-yomi (音読み): ドウ (dō) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): うご-く (ugo-ku), うご-かす (ugo-kasu)

⚫︎行動 (kōdō) Translation: action; behavior ⚫︎運動 (undō) Translation: exercise; movement; physical activity ⚫︎動物 (dōbutsu) Translation: animal

The kanji 動 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound. It combines two parts: ⚫︎ The phonetic component: 重 (jū), which contributes to the sound (音). 重 originally meant "heavy". ⚫︎ The semantic component: 力 (chikara), meaning "power" or "strength". The kanji's formation suggests the idea of using strength or effort to change or set something in motion. It visualizes the exertion of force to cause movement or change.