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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to set out' on a journey with 动身 (dòngshēn)

    Actions & Events
    Direction & Movement

    Structure

    Subject + 动身 + 去 + Destination/Purpose

    Explanation

    动身 (dòngshēn) means "to set out," "to depart," or "to start a journey" and is used when someone begins traveling to a destination. It has a slightly formal or literary tone compared to the everyday 出发 (chūfā). It is commonly followed by 去 and a destination, as in 动身去找 (set out to find).

    Examples

    • 天还没亮，他们就动身去机场了。

      Tiān hái méi liàng, tāmen jiù dòngshēn qù jīchǎng le.

      It wasn't even light yet when they set off for the airport.

    • 我们打算明天一早动身去云南。

      Wǒmen dǎsuàn míngtiān yì zǎo dòngshēn qù Yúnnán.

      We plan to set off for Yunnan early tomorrow morning.

    • 行李都收拾好了，随时可以动身。

      Xíngli dōu shōushi hǎo le, suíshí kěyǐ dòngshēn.

      The luggage is all packed; we can set off at any time.

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    Expressing 'to set out' on a journey with 动身 (dòngshēn) | Chinese Grammar