hou3 dung6好動好动
Jyutpinghou3 dung6
Yalehou duhng
Definition
Active, lively, or restless; fond of sports and physical activity.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone who is physically energetic and struggles to sit still for long periods. It is frequently used by parents or teachers to characterize children who have a high need for physical stimulation. Unlike the word 活躍 which can apply to mental engagement or social participation, 好動 specifically highlights physical restlessness and a preference for movement.
Examples
He was very active when he was little, always running around.
Your son has such an active personality, take him to the park to play.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply enthusiastic about a project or a topic, as it specifically implies physical activity or a lack of stillness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
