生动

• Pinyin: shēng dòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 生 = a plant sprouting from the ground, meaning life; 动 = 云 (cloud) + 力 (strength), simplified from 動, meaning to move

Meaning

Vivid; lively; lifelike. Describes something that is full of life and energy, making a strong impression.

Used to praise descriptions, performances, teaching, writing, or expressions that are engaging and lifelike rather than dull. Common collocations: 生动的故事 (vivid story), 生动有趣 (vivid and interesting), 生动的描写 (vivid description). Frequently used in educational and literary contexts.

Examples

1. 老师讲课非常生动，学生们都很喜欢。 The teacher's lectures are very vivid — the students all really enjoy them.
2. 这篇文章对人物的描写非常生动。 The character descriptions in this article are very vivid.
3. 他用生动的语言给孩子们讲了一个故事。 He used vivid language to tell the children a story.

Usage Guide

Context: education, writing, performance, art

Tone: appreciative

Do Say

• 他的表演非常生动。(His performance was very vivid.)
• 这幅画画得很生动。(This painting is very lifelike.)

Don't Say

• 今天的天气很生动。(Don't use 生动 for weather — it's for descriptions, performances, and creative works that are lively, not natural phenomena.)

Origin & History

生 means life or living; 动 means to move. Together: full of life and movement — vivid and animated.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal