转动 zhuàndòng to rotate (about an axis)
to rotate (about an axis); to revolve; to turn; to move in a circle; to gyrate
How to remember 转动: 转 to turn + 动 move = to rotate (about an axis).
Characters
How it is used
- To turn or rotate about an axis - 转动方向盘 (zhuàndòng fāngxiàngpán) to turn the steering wheel, 眼珠转动 (yǎnzhū zhuàndòng) eyes rolling around.
- Read zhuàndòng (4th tone) for the physical rotation sense; contrast the more abstract 转移/转换 which use zhuǎn.
- About continuous spinning/turning motion, whereas 转身 is a single about-face.
Example sentences
- 他转动钥匙。 Tā zhuǎndòng yàoshi.He turned the key.
- 爱让世界转动。 Ài ràng shìjiè zhuǎndòng.Love makes the world go round.