Translation and Meaning of: 動く - ugoku

If you have ever tried to learn Japanese, you have probably come across the verb 動く (うごく, ugoku), which means "to move," "to stir," or even "to function." This word is essential in everyday Japanese, appearing in situations ranging from describing an object that moves to machines in operation. In this article, you will discover the fascinating etymology behind this kanji, how it is used in practice, and even tips to memorize it for good. Additionally, we will explore the pictogram that makes up the ideogram and how it reflects the original meaning of the word. If you use Anki or another spaced repetition system, you will love the practical sentences we have prepared to enhance your studies.

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 動

The kanji 動 is composed of two elements: the radical 力 (ちから, chikara), which means "force", and the component 重 (おも, omo), which carries the idea of "weight" or "importance". Together, they create the image of something being moved by effort, like pushing a heavy object. This combination is not by chance—the character originally represented the action of moving something with energy, and over time, its meaning expanded to encompass both physical and abstract movements.

Interestingly, the verb ugoku can also be used in metaphorical contexts, such as when something "moves" emotionally or when a plan "comes into action." This flexibility allows it to appear in everyday expressions, like 機械が動く (kikai ga ugoku)—"the machine is working"—or even in poetic phrases, like 心が動く (kokoro ga ugoku), describing a heart that is moved. Do you see how a single verb can open doors to different nuances of the language?

Practical Use and Popularity

In Japan, 動く is so common that you will hear it in everyday conversations, from simple instructions like 「そこを動かないで！」 ("Don't move there!") to technical manuals explaining how a device operates. A valuable tip: pay attention when it is used in the sense of "to function," as many students confuse it with 働く (hataraku), which specifically refers to "to work" (as in a job). For example, saying 「このアプリは動かない」 ("This app doesn't work") sounds natural, while using 働く here would be awkward.

Another interesting detail is that ugoku often appears in Google searches alongside terms like 「動かない 対処法」 ("solutions for when [something] doesn't work") or 「動く 類語」 ("synonyms for move"). This reveals how people seek both the basic meaning and practical applications—especially when facing problems with electronics! And if you've ever been stuck trying to remember whether to use 動かす (ugokasu) or 動く, know that the difference lies in the voice: the first is the transitive form ("to move something"), while the second is intransitive ("to move oneself").

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

To memorize the kanji 動, imagine someone using 力 (power) to lift a 重 (heavy weight)—literally, "to make a heavy object move." This visual association helps to fix both the writing and the meaning. A Japanese teacher once told me that students often play with the pun 「動くと働くは仲良しさん」 ("ugoku and hataraku are good friends"), since the two verbs sound similar but are used in different contexts.

In pop culture, 動く appears in song lyrics and anime dialogues, often to convey urgency or change—like in 「早く動け！」 ("Move quickly!"). And if you’re a gaming fan, you might have seen phrases like 「キャラクターが動かない」 complaining that the character isn't moving. These examples show how the word is rooted not only in formal Japanese but also in casual language. How about practicing by creating a sentence with ugoku today?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 動く

• 動く - Infinitive base form
• 動きます Polite form present affirmative
• 動かない - Present Negative Form
• 動いた - Past simple tense
• 動かせる - Potential form capacity to do something.

Synonyms and similar words

• 動かす (UGOKASU) - Make something move, displace
• 移動する (IDOU SURU) - Move, relocate, transfer from one place to another
• 運ぶ (HAKOBU) - Transport, carry something from one place to another
• 走る (HASHIRU) - Run, move quickly using the legs
• 動作する (DOUSA SURU) - Perform an action or movement
• 動くこと (UGOKU KOTO) - The act of moving
• 動くようにする (UGOKU YOU NI SURU) - Make something move
• 動くことができる (UGOKU KOTO GA DEKIRU) - To be able to move oneself
• 動くようになる (UGOKU YOU NI NARU) - Become capable of moving oneself

動く

Romaji: ugoku
Kana: うごく
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: to move; to mix; move; shake; to swing; operate; run; go; function; be touched; be influenced; falter; oscillate; vary; to change; be transferred.

Meaning in English: to move;to stir;to shift;to shake;to swing;to operate;to run;to go;to work;to be touched;to be influenced;to waver;to fluctuate;to vary;to change;to be transferred

Definition: To change position or move something.

Example Sentences - (動く) ugoku

See below some example sentences:

上下に動くエレベーターがあります。

Ue shita ni ugoku erebētā ga arimasu

There is an elevator that moves up and down.

• 上下に (jouge ni) - up and down
• 動く (ugoku) - move
• エレベーター (erebeetaa) - elevator
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - exists

私の車は動くことができます。

Watashi no kuruma wa ugoku koto ga dekimasu

My car can move.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 車 (kuruma) - noun that means "car" in Japanese
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my car"
• 動く (ugoku) - verb meaning "to move" or "to work" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - Noun that means "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "my car"
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "can" or "is capable of" in Japanese

この機械の動きはとてもスムーズです。

Kono kikai no ugoki wa totemo sumūzu desu

The movement of this machine is very soft.

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one";
• 機械 - noun meaning "machine";
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English;
• 動き - noun meaning "movement";
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" in English;
• とても - adverb meaning "very";
• スムーズ - adjective meaning "smooth" or "without problems";
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative.

歯車がうまくかみ合わないと機械は動かない。

Haguruma ga umaku kamiawanai to kikai wa ugokanai

If the gears do not fit well

If the gears are not involved well, the machine will not work.

• 歯車 (haguruma) - gear
• が (ga) - subject particle
• うまく (umaku) - skillfully, well
• かみ合わない (kamiawanai) - not fitting in, not adjusting
• と (to) - conditional particle
• 機械 (kikai) - machine
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 動かない (ugokanai) - not moving, not working