Meaning and Usage
"動く" (うごく) primarily means "to move" or "to operate." It can describe physical movement of people, animals, or objects, as well as the functioning of machines or systems.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "動く" when talking about clocks, machines, or any device that operates. It also frequently appears when describing bodily movement or actions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 動く (うごく): to move (general physical movement)
- 体を動かす (からだをうごかす): to move one's body, often used when talking about exercise or physical activity
- 動かない (うごかない): not moving, not working (used for machines or objects)
Register and Nuance
"動く" is a neutral verb used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neither formal nor informal but very common in daily life.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "動く" with "移動する" (いどうする), which also means "to move" but usually refers to changing location or moving from one place to another. "動く" focuses more on the action of moving or functioning itself rather than relocation.