感动

• Pinyin: gǎn dòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 感 = 咸 (xián, phonetic) + 心 (heart); 动 = 云 (cloud, phonetic) + 力 (strength)

Meaning

Moved; touched. Describes feeling emotionally stirred by something kind, beautiful, or inspiring.

Can be used as both a verb (to move someone emotionally) and an adjective (to be moved). Very common in Chinese culture where expressing being touched by kindness is valued.

Examples

1. 这个电影太感动了，我都哭了。 This movie was so touching that I cried.
2. 老师的话让我非常感动。 The teacher's words moved me deeply.
3. 大家的帮助让她很感动。 Everyone's help touched her very much.

Usage Guide

Context: emotional expression, storytelling, gratitude

Tone: warm, emotional

Do Say

• 你做的这些让我很感动。(What you did really moved me.)
• 这是一个很感动的故事。(This is a very touching story.)

Don't Say

• 不要把感动和感到混淆 — 感动 specifically means 'emotionally moved or touched,' while 感到 is the general 'to feel.'

Origin & History

Compound of 感 (to feel) and 动 (to move), literally 'feelings are moved.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal