動きます（うごきます、ugokimasu）
- to move

The Japanese word 動きます (うごきます) primarily means "to move," "to work," or "to function." It describes the action of something changing position, being in motion, or operating. The specific nuance of "to move" can vary, from a physical movement to the operation of a machine or the functioning of a system. The word implies an active state, something that is not stationary or inactive. Its meaning can also be expanded to signify that something is "working" or "functioning" properly, like a machine or a system.

⚫︎ 時計が動きます Translation: The clock is moving/working. ⚫︎ 車が動きますか？ Translation: Does the car run?/Is the car working? ⚫︎ 心臓が動きます Translation: The heart [moves]/beats.

動きます is used in various contexts to describe movement, operation, and function. ⚫︎ It can describe physical movement of objects or people. ⚫︎ It can describe the function of machines, devices, or systems. ⚫︎ It's often used when talking about the state of something, whether it's working or not. It is a versatile verb used in everyday conversation. You'll often hear it when describing a car starting, a machine running, or the function of the human body. The appropriate choice of context is important.

動きます is written in: ⚫︎ Kanji: 動きます ⚫︎ Hiragana: うごきます The stem of the verb is 動(うご), and the conjugation changes the suffix. This suffix reflects the tense and politeness level of the sentence. For example, 動(うご)く is the dictionary form, 動(うご)かない is the negative form, and 動(うご)きます is the polite present/future form. Okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is consistent as きます.

⚫︎ 動(うご)かす (ugokasu) - to move something (transitive verb) ⚫︎ 動(うご)く (ugoku) - to move, to work (intransitive verb, the dictionary form) ⚫︎ 運転(うんてん)します (unten shimasu) - to drive (for vehicles) ⚫︎ 作動(さどう)します (sadou shimasu) - to operate/activate (formal)

⚫︎ 止(と)まります (tomarimasu) - to stop ⚫︎ 静(しず)かです (shizuka desu) - to be still/quiet

このロボットはちゃんと動きますか？ ・Translation: Does this robot work properly? ・Explanation: This sentence asks if the robot is functioning correctly.

エレベーターが動きます。 ・Translation: The elevator is moving/working. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates that the elevator is in operation.

The verb 動(うご)く derives from the verb 動(うご)かす, which means "to move" or "to cause to move." The kanji 動 itself represents "movement." The original concept is the act of something changing its position or state. The verb developed to encompass the idea of function and operation through its use. Therefore, 動(うご)きます is the polite form of 動(うご)く, which implies the action of moving in any context.