改动
gǎi dòng · HSK 7
to alter
✏️ 改动 = 改 (change) + 动 (move/act) — change-and-move = alter
改 means to change or correct; 动 means to move or act. Together they form a compound meaning to alter or modify — a change put into motion. Common for edits to documents, plans, or designs.
改 — 己 (self) + 攴/攵 (action/strike)
改 is a compound of 己 'self' and 攵 (the action radical, originally a hand holding a stick). The image is of striking or applying force to oneself or one's situation, suggesting reform or correction. From this came the modern meaning 'to change, alter, correct'.
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.