1.
to move around, to move about
To change position or location repeatedly, moving in various directions.
犬が庭を動き回っている。
The dog is moving around the yard.
赤ちゃんが部屋の中を動き回っている。
The baby is moving around the room.
怪我をしたら、動き回らないでください。
If you're injured, please don't move around.
子どもたちが公園であちこち動き回って遊んでいた。
The children were playing and moving around all over the park.
地震の後は建物の中をむやみに動き回らない方がいい。
After an earthquake, it's better not to move around carelessly inside the building.
2.
to be active, to be on the move
To be physically active, not staying still.
朝から忙しく動き回った。
I was busy and on the move since morning.
猫が落ち着かない様子で動き回っていた。
The cat was restlessly on the move.
彼は一日中街の中を動き回っていた。
He was on the move around town all day long.
仕事で毎日あちこち動き回らなければならないので、体力が必要だ。
I have to be on the move everywhere for work every day, so physical stamina is necessary.
営業の担当者は朝から晩まで取引先を動き回って、やっと契約を取ることができた。
The sales representative was on the move visiting clients from morning to night, and finally managed to close the deal.
動き回る is an intransitive verb (自動詞) meaning to move around.
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 動く (to move) + 回る (to go around) → to move around
ASPECT (ている):
動き回っている indicates an ongoing state of moving around, often restlessly.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 落ち着かず動き回る (move around restlessly)
- あちこち動き回る (move around everywhere)
- 自由に動き回る (move around freely)
USAGE NOTE:
More general than 歩き回る (walking) or 走り回る (running). Can be used for any kind of movement including crawling, shuffling, etc.
[Register: Neutral]