1.
movement, motion, action, gesture
Physical movement or actions performed by a person or animal.
彼の動作は機敏だ。
His movements are agile.
動作を真似してください。
Please imitate the movement.
年を取ると動作が遅くなる。
As you get older, your movements become slower.
2.
operation, functioning (of machines)
The working or running of a machine or system.
この機械は正常に動作している。
This machine is operating normally.
アプリが動作しなくなったので再起動した。
The app stopped working, so I restarted it.
動作確認をしてから製品を出荷する。
We check the operation before shipping the product.
動作確認 = operation check
USAGE: 動作 is used for both human/animal movements and machine operations.
FOR PEOPLE:
- 動作が遅い (slow in one's movements)
- 動作が速い (quick in one's movements)
- 基本動作 (basic movements)
FOR MACHINES/COMPUTERS:
- 動作確認 (operation check)
- 動作環境 (operating environment, system requirements)
- 動作しない (not working, not functioning)
- 動作{テスト} (operation test)
CONTRAST:
- 動作 - specific movements/operations
- 動き - movement in general
- 行動 - behavior, conduct