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March 24, 2026
感动(感動)gǎndòng(gan3dong4)
The verb '感动' (gǎndòng) means to touch someone emotionally or to move someone deeply. It is commonly used in contexts where a person feels a strong emotional response, often due to kindness, beauty, or poignant experiences.
Frequency#3629DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions is often subtler than in Western contexts; '感动' can reflect the importance of relationships and shared experiences, making it a significant term in conversations about family or friendships.
Memory Tip
Think of '感' (gǎn) as feeling and '动' (dòng) as moving. Imagine a heart feeling a powerful emotion that causes it to move, like a wave of emotion washing over you, making you feel deeply touched.
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AI Study Notes for 感动
Quick Contrast
感激 (gǎnjī) — use 感动 when referring to being emotionally moved, while 感激 focuses on feeling grateful.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '感' (gǎn) as feeling and '动' (dòng) as moving. Imagine a heart feeling a powerful emotion that causes it to move, like a wave of emotion washing over you, making you feel deeply touched.
Usage Notes
'感动' is often used in both formal and informal settings, but be aware of the context when expressing emotions. A common mistake is to confuse it with '感激' (gǎnjī), which means to be grateful. Remember that '感动' focuses on emotional impact rather than gratitude.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, '感动' connects well with other emotional verbs like '喜欢' (xǐhuān - to like) and '爱' (ài - to love). Students should practice using it in sentences that describe emotional reactions to stories or situations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions is often subtler than in Western contexts; '感动' can reflect the importance of relationships and shared experiences, making it a significant term in conversations about family or friendships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '感动' with '激动' (jīdòng), which means excited. For example, saying '我很激动这个故事' (I'm very excited about this story) instead of '我很感动这个故事' (I'm very moved by this story) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 感动
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Grammar Patterns of 感动
感动 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
yíng jiē tā de shì dà jiā qí chàng《 《 zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài》， lè 》， líng tā fēi cháng。
He was greeted with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
2
他认为我很迷人，这真令我感动。
tā rèn wéi wǒ hěn mí rén， ， zhè zhēn líng wǒ gǎn。
I was touched to find that he regards me as engaging.
3
我因感动而写下了几句诗。
wǒ yīn gǎn dòng ér xiě xià le jī jù shī。
I have been moved to write a few lines of verse.
4
波莉姨妈跪下来,为汤姆祈祷,很令人感动.
bō lì yí mā guì xià lái, , wéi tāng mǔ qí, dǎo , hěn líng rén.
Aunt Polly knelt down and prayed for Tom so touchingly.
5
凡在场听到她悲酸身世的人无不感动得流泪。
fán zài cháng tīng dào tā bēi suān shēn shì de rén wú bù gǎn dòng dé liú lèi。
All those present to listen to her sad story were moved to tears.
6
赫斯渥吃惊地眨了眨眼睛,受到了感动.
hè sī wò chī jīng dì zhǎ le zhǎ yǎn jīng, , shòu dào le gǎn.
Hurstwood blinked his eyes and caught the infection.
Cultural Notes for 感动
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing emotions is often subtler than in Western contexts; '感动' can reflect the importance of relationships and shared experiences, making it a significant term in conversations about family or friendships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 感动
No, '感动' specifically refers to emotional movement, not physical actions.
It is primarily used for positive or touching experiences, but it can also express sadness.
You can say, '这部电影让我感动得哭了' (This movie moved me to tears).
