動き

うごき

movement, activity, trend

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Understanding 動き (うごき)

動き primarily means "movement" or "motion," but it also extends to "activity" and "trend" depending on context. It is a noun derived from the verb 動く (うごく), meaning "to move."

Common Uses

  1. Physical movement: Describing how people or objects move, e.g., 手の動き (hand movement).
  2. Activity or behavior: Referring to the liveliness or actions of people or groups.
  3. Trends or changes: Often used in contexts like 経済の動き (economic trends) or 政治の動き (political developments).

Collocations and Patterns

  • 手の動き: hand movement, often describing skill or speed.
  • 経済の動き: economic trends, used in business or news contexts.
  • 動きがある: there is movement or activity, implying change or progress.
  • 動き出す: to start moving or to begin activity.

Usage Notes

動き is a versatile noun useful in both everyday and formal contexts. When talking about trends or developments, it often appears in news or analytical discussions. Learners should not confuse 動き with 動く; the former is a noun, the latter a verb. Also, 動き can describe both literal physical motion and abstract changes or activities, so context is key.

Common Mistake

Avoid using 動き as a verb. Instead, use 動く for actions. For example, say 手が動く (the hand moves), not 手が動き.

Example Sentences

かれのてのうごきがとてもはやい。

His hand movements are very fast.

けいざいのうごきをちゅういぶかくかんさつするひつようがある。

It is necessary to carefully observe economic trends.

こどもたちのうごきがかっぱつになってきた。

The children's activity has become lively.