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动手

dòng shǒu
HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Verb Common

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Definitions

  1. 1. to set about (a task)
  2. 2. to hit
  3. 3. to punch
  4. 4. to touch

Word relationships

Related words

2 items
殴打
ōu dǎ

to beat up

to hit or punch
触碰
chù pèng

to touch

to touch

Synonyms

1 item
着手
zhuó shǒu

to put one's hand to it

to set about a task

Usage notes

Collocations

In the sense of 'hit', 动手 is often used in the phrase 动手打人 (to physically hit someone).

Common mistakes

动手 can mean 'to start a task', but learners often overuse it for 'begin' in abstract contexts where 开始 is preferred.

Example Sentences

1 shown
别 动手 ，好好说话。
Don't hit; talk it out nicely.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 动手

动手动脚
dòng shǒu dòng jiǎo

to come to blows

动手脚
dòng shǒu jiǎo

(coll.) to tamper with

动手术
dòng shǒu shù

(of a surgeon) to operate (on sb)

君子动口不动手
jūn zǐ dòng kǒu bù dòng shǒu

a gentleman uses his mouth and not his fist

早动手，早收获
zǎo dòng shǒu , zǎo shōu huò

(idiom) the sooner you set to work, the sooner you'll reap the rewards

自己动手
zì jǐ dòng shǒu

to do (sth) oneself

亲自动手
qīn zì dòng shǒu

to do the job oneself

Child Words of 动手

动
dòng

(of sth) to move

手
shǒu

hand