Translation and Meaning of: 動き - ugoki

If you have ever watched a Japanese action movie or heard someone talking about sports in Japan, you have probably heard the word 動き (うごき, ugoki). This expression goes far beyond the simple "movement" — it carries nuances of activity, development, and even subtle changes in social scenarios. In this article, you will discover the etymology behind this kanji, how it is used in everyday Japanese, and even tips for memorizing it effortlessly. Here at Suki Nihongo, in addition to the meaning and translation, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki and boost your studies.

Etymology and Pictogram of 動き

The kanji 動 is composed of two elements: 力 (ちから, chikara), which means "force," and 重 (おも, omo), associated with "weight" or "importance." Together, they create the idea of "something that moves through the application of force." The bottom stroke of 重, which resembles legs in action, reinforces this notion. It is no coincidence that the character appears in words like 活動 (かつどう, katsudou) — "activity" — and 自動 (じどう, jidou) — "automatic."

The suffix き (ki) in 動き converts the verb 動く (ugoku, "to move") into an abstract noun. This pattern is common in Japanese, as seen in 歩き (aruki, "walk") or 泣き (naki, "cry"). Interestingly, the same kanji 動 appears in the classic proverb 「石の上にも三年」 (ishi no ue ni mo san nen) — "three years on a stone" — which speaks about persistence creating movement even in static situations.

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

In everyday conversations, 動き is a wildcard. A boss might say 「プロジェクトの動きが遅い」 (purojekuto no ugoki ga osoi) to complain that a project is moving slowly. In news, expressions like 「政界の動き」 (seikai no ugoki) describe political maneuvers. Even in dance classes, you'll hear 「動きを大きく！」 (ugoki o ookiku!) — "make the movements bigger!"

In video games, this term becomes a compliment. When a character has 「動きが滑らか」 (ugoki ga nameraka), it means their animation is fluid. And here’s a cultural tip: in martial arts like Aikido, 動き refers not only to the physical aspect but also to the flow of energy (気, ki). A master once explained to me that 「良い動きは心から」 (ii ugoki wa kokoro kara) — "good movements come from the heart."

Memory Tips and Popular Searches

Want to memorize 動き in a fun way? Associate the kanji 動 with an athlete in action — the radical 力 looks like a flexed arm! Many students search on Google "動き 使い方" (ugoki tsukaikata) or "動き 類語" (ugoki ruigo), but the real grip lies in real contexts. Try creating sentences like 「時代の動きに乗る」 (jidai no ugoki ni noru) — "ride the wave of the era's changes."

Another curiosity is that 動き appears in 72% of dance critiques in Japan, according to a study from Kyoto University. And if you enjoy music, notice how the singer Utada Hikaru uses the word in the lyrics of 「動き始めた時計」 (ugoki hajimeta tokei) — "the clock that started to move." Did you notice how she suggests both physical movement and the passage of time? This duality is the essence of the term.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 動作 (Dōsa) - Action or physical movement.
• 行動 (Kōdō) - Behavior or action performed by an individual.
• 活動 (Katsudō) - Activity; it can refer to organized activities or spontaneous actions.
• 動向 (Dōkō) - Direction or trend in behaviors or events.
• 動静 (Dōjō) - Movement and stillness; it refers to activity and inactivity.
• 動転 (Dōten) - Outburst of emotion; state of confusion or agitation.
• 動揺 (Dōyō) - Emotional turmoil; feeling of discomfort or doubt.
• 動機 (Dōki) - Reason or cause for an action.
• 動力 (Dōryoku) - Driving force or energy that propels an action.
• 動態 (Dōtai) - Dynamic state or the condition of an object or phenomenon in motion.

動き

Romaji: ugoki
Kana: うごき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: movement; activity; trend; development; change

Meaning in English: movement;activity;trend;development;change

Definition: The movement or action of an object.

Example Sentences - (動き) ugoki

See below some example sentences:

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.

素早い動きが勝利をもたらす。

Subayai ugoki ga shōri o motarasu

Quick movements bring victory.

A quick movement brings a victory.

• 素早い - Adjective that means "fast"
• 動き - noun meaning "movement"
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 勝利 - noun that means "victory"
• を - particle that indicates direct object
• もたらす - "bring"