Easy Korean Level 4 - Unit 6: Word Builder 3 / 동(動)¶

In our Word Builder series, we explore Korean words that share the same Chinese character root (Hanja). Knowing these roots makes it much easier to guess the meaning of new vocabulary!

Today’s root is 동 (動). The meaning of this character is "movement" or "to move".

Let's look at some common words that contain 동.

Vocabulary¶

운동 (運動) = exercise, sports
운 (to move/transport) + 동 (movement)
운동해요 = I exercise.
동작 (動作) = movement, motion, gesture
동 (movement) + 작 (to make)
동작이 빠르다 = to have quick movements.
활동 (活動) = activity
활 (vitality/life) + 동 (movement)
동아리 활동 = club activities.
동물 (動物) = animal
동 (movement) + 물 (thing/matter)
Moving things = animals!
자동차 (自動車) = automobile, car
자 (self) + 동 (movement) + 차 (vehicle)
A vehicle that moves by itself.
행동 (行動) = behavior, action
행 (to do/go) + 동 (movement)
행동이 이상해요 = His behavior is strange.

Example Sentences¶

저는 매일 아침 운동을 해요. (I exercise every morning.)
그 강아지는 아주 귀여운 동물이에요. (That puppy is a very cute animal.)
주말에 야외 활동을 많이 해요. (I do a lot of outdoor activities on weekends.)
자동차를 새로 샀어요. (I bought a new car.)

Learning Hanja roots like 동 can supercharge your vocabulary learning!