動(うご)く

うごく
verb (godan)
to move
1. to move
To change position or location. Can describe physical movement of people, animals, vehicles, or objects. Also used for machines that are operating or functioning.
動(うご)かないでください。
Please don't move.
Negative request form
この時計(とけい)は動(うご)いていません。
This clock isn't working.
Used for machines/devices functioning
電車(でんしゃ)が動(うご)き始(はじ)めました。
The train started to move.
地震(じしん)で建物(たてもの)が動(うご)いたように感(かん)じました。
I felt like the building moved during the earthquake.
エレベーターが動(うご)いていないので、階段(かいだん)を使(つか)わなければなりません。
The elevator isn't working, so we have to use the stairs.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Pair: 動(うご)かす (transitive, to move something). Pattern: Xが動(うご)く.

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action or state. 動(うご)いている = 'is moving' or 'is running/working' (for machines).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 電車(でんしゃ)が動(うご)く (the train moves)
  • 時計(とけい)が動(うご)いている (the clock is working)
  • 動(うご)かないで (don't move)
  • 動(うご)き出(だ)す (start to move)

For machines, 動(うご)いている means 'is functioning/working.'

Related Words

Pair verb: 動(うご)かす (transitive, to move something)
core
Added 2026.1.7 21:39 · Revised 2026.2.19 12:16
00500/00904_ugoku