动脑筋

動腦筋

dòngnǎojīn

phrase #22,853

Meanings

HSK 7-9

这道题需要动动脑筋才能解出来。

Zhè dào tí xūyào dòng dòng nǎojīn cáinéng jiě chūlái.

This problem requires you to use your brain to solve it.

HSK 7-9

要解决这个问题，我们都得动脑筋。

Yào jiějué zhège wèntí, wǒmen dōu děi dòng nǎojīn.

To solve this problem, we all need to put our minds to work.

memory

动 (to move/use) + 脑 (brain) + 筋 (tendon/sinew) - 'to work the brain's tendons', a vivid colloquial expression for exerting mental effort.

动 dòng

脑 nǎo

筋 jīn