动武

動武
dòngwǔ
verb #31,105

Meanings

  1. 1 to use force
  2. 2 to come to blows
  3. 3 to resort to violence

Examples

Yǒu huà hǎohǎo shuō, bié dòngwǔ.
Talk it out properly, don't resort to violence.
Liǎng guó rúguǒ dòngwǔ, hòuguǒ bùkān shèxiǎng.
If the two countries come to blows, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Tips

usage
(to set in motion) + (martial force) — "to put force into action." Scales from a personal scuffle (动手 with fists) up to military conflict between nations. Frequently negated as a warning: 不要动武 / 动武 ("don't resort to force").

Stroke Order

dòng