运动 (yùndòng) — exercise / sport / movement

运动 (yùndòng)

运动 covers physical activity broadly: it can mean doing exercise, playing a sport, or engaging in a social or political movement. In everyday speech it most often refers to working out or playing sports. It functions as both a noun and a verb.

Meanings

1. [noun / verb] Exercise; physical activity; to work out.
2. [noun] Sport; athletic event.
3. [noun] Movement; campaign (social or political).

Example Sentences

我每天早上都去运动。 Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang dōu qù yùndòng. I exercise every morning.

你喜欢什么运动？ Nǐ xǐhuān shénme yùndòng? What sport do you like?

多运动对身体有好处。 Duō yùndòng duì shēntǐ yǒu hǎochù. Exercising more is good for your health.

他是学校运动队的成员。 Tā shì xuéxiào yùndòngduì de chéngyuán. He is a member of the school sports team.

Collocations

Memory Hook

运 means "to transport / move" and 动 means "to move / act." 运动 is movement in motion — your body being transported through space with purpose and energy.