Each colour is one part of the character. Parts repeat across thousands of characters, so learning them makes new words easier. See all 214 in our radicals chart.
动dòngto move
云cloud · yún
力strength · lìMeaning part
Memory aidStrength 力 makes things move. In the full form 動, 重 (zhòng) gave the sound.
身shēnbody
身 is a single shape of 7 strokes. Learn it whole, then watch its stroke order below.
Memory aidDrawn from a person with a large belly: the body.
How to write 动身
动 6 strokes · 身 7 strokes
Watch the order, then press Try writing it and draw each stroke in the grid. Each stroke is checked as you go.
Stroke order chart for 动身 (dòngshēn). Red marks the next stroke, so you can copy it onto paper one step at a time.
动身 (dòngshēn) means “to set out” or “to leave (on a journey)”. It is an HSK 6 word.
Say it dòngshēn: dòng with a 4th tone, then shēn with a 1st tone. Press Listen at the top of this page to hear it, or Slowly to hear each tone clearly.
In Traditional characters, used in Taiwan and Hong Kong, 动身 is written 動身. The pronunciation is the same.
Add a Chinese (Simplified) pinyin keyboard to your phone or computer, type dongshen with no tone marks or spaces, then choose 动身 from the suggestions. Typing dongshen into this dictionary’s search box finds it too.
动身 is an HSK 6 word in the HSK 2.0 word lists.
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Sources: meaning and pinyin checked by a native Mandarin teacher against the official HSK lists. Extra meanings from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0). Example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR). Character parts and stroke order from Make Me a Hanzi.
动dòng4th tone, falling
身shēn1st tone, high and level
