动工

• Pinyin: dòng gōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 动 = 云 + 力 (to move/begin); 工 = 工 (work — pictograph of a carpenter's square)

Meaning

To start construction; to break ground on a project. The official commencement of building or engineering work.

Commonly used for large infrastructure or construction projects. Often preceded by 正式 (officially) and accompanied by a ceremony. Implies a formal milestone — the official start of construction — rather than casual preparatory activity.

Examples

1. 新机场工程将于下月正式动工，预计三年后竣工投用。 Construction of the new airport will officially begin next month, and it is expected to be completed and put into service three years later.
2. 这座桥梁历经反复论证，终于在各方达成共识后宣布动工。 After repeated evaluations, the bridge was finally announced to break ground once all parties reached a consensus.
3. 小区改造项目动工之前，施工方向全体居民发出了详细的告知函。 Before the neighborhood renovation project began, the contractor sent all residents a detailed notice.

Usage Guide

Context: construction, infrastructure, urban development, project management

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 市政府宣布，城市快速路扩建项目将于本季度动工，力争明年通车。(The city government announced that the urban expressway expansion project will break ground this quarter, with the goal of opening to traffic next year.)
• 该水利工程历时两年规划，正式动工后将带动当地数千名劳动者就业。(The hydraulic engineering project took two years to plan; once construction formally begins, it will drive employment for thousands of local workers.)

Don't Say

• 他动工了那份报告 — 动工 is only used for construction or engineering projects; use 开始 or 着手 for starting document or office work

Origin & History

动 (to begin/activate) + 工 (work/construction)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal