动
dòng · HSK 1
get moving
🏃 动 = 云 (cloud) + 力 (force) — force that makes things move
Etymology: the right side 力 means strength/force, the left was originally 重 (heavy) simplified to 云. A force applied to something heavy sets it in motion. Common in 运动 (sport), 动物 (animal = moving thing).
动 — force 力 + heavy/重 (simplified from 動)
The traditional form 動 combines 重 (heavy) as the phonetic with 力 (force/strength) as the semantic, suggesting the effort needed to move something heavy. The simplified form 动 replaces 重 with 云, keeping 力 to convey action and motion.