動かす

The Japanese verb 動かす (ugokasu) is a fundamental transitive verb that primarily means 'to move' or 'to operate.' For English speakers, the most important distinction to grasp immediately is its transitive nature. In English, the word 'move' can be both intransitive ('The car moves') and transitive ('I move the car'). However, Japanese strictly separates these functions. 動かす (ugokasu) is the active version where an agent (a person, a force, or a machine) causes something else to change position, state, or function. This is paired with its intransitive counterpart, 動く (ugoku), which describes something moving on its own. When you use 動かす, you are the protagonist of the action, exerting influence over an object or a situation.

Physical Displacement

This is the most common usage. It refers to physically picking up, pushing, or sliding an object from point A to point B. For example, moving furniture during a renovation or moving a cursor on a computer screen. It implies a conscious effort to change the physical coordinates of an item.

Operating Machinery

Beyond just shifting location, 動かす is used when you start or run a machine or a system. If you turn the key in an engine or activate a production line, you are 'moving' the mechanism into action. It suggests the transition from a static state to a functional, active state.

Emotional Impact

Metaphorically, this verb is used to describe moving someone's heart or emotions. If a speech is so powerful that it changes someone's mind or makes them cry, you have 'moved' (動かした) their heart (心). This usage is poetic and common in literature and high-level rhetoric.

In daily life, Japanese people use this word constantly. In a restaurant, you might ask someone to move their glass so you can clean the table. In a business meeting, you might discuss moving the dates of a project. The versatility of 動かす lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the physical and the conceptual. It is about the application of power (力) to something that is otherwise still or 'heavy' (重), which are the two components that make up the kanji character 動. By understanding this etymological root, you can visualize the effort required to initiate change.

Furthermore, the word appears in sports contexts, particularly when a coach tells an athlete to 'move their body' (体を動かす) as a way of saying 'get some exercise' or 'warm up.' It is less about going to a specific place and more about the act of physical exertion. In the world of technology, developers 'move' code or 'operate' servers using this term. It is a word of agency—if there is a result of motion, and there was an intention behind it, 動かす is your go-to verb.

Social Influence

In political or organizational contexts, 動かす refers to mobilizing people or resources. 'Moving the world' (世界を動かす) suggests having a global impact or changing the course of history through leadership or innovation.

Using 動かす (ugokasu) correctly requires a solid understanding of Japanese transitive sentence structures. The standard pattern is [Subject] は [Object] を 動かす. Because the subject is often omitted in Japanese when it is clear from context, you will frequently see sentences that simply start with the object and the particle を. This verb follows the standard rules for Group 1 (Godan) verbs ending in '-su'. This means its conjugations are predictable: ugokasanai (negative), ugokashimasu (polite), ugokashita (past), and ugokashite (te-form).

Requesting Action

When asking someone to move something, use the te-form plus 'kudasai'. For example, 'Kore o ugokashite kudasai' (Please move this). This is common when rearranging a room or asking someone to shift their luggage on a train. It is direct but polite when paired with the proper honorifics.

Describing Ability

To say you 'can' move something, you use the potential form 動かせる (ugokaseru). This is often used to describe physical strength ('I can move this boulder') or authority ('I can move the meeting time'). It highlights the capacity of the agent to effect change.

One of the most powerful ways to use 動かす is in the causative-passive or complex causative structures, but at the A2/B1 level, focusing on the simple transitive use is key. Note that when moving an object to a specific location, the destination is marked with the particle に (ni) or へ (e). For instance: 'Table o mado no soba ni ugokasu' (Move the table to the side of the window). The flow of the sentence clearly shows the agent's intention and the physical path the object takes.

In abstract contexts, 動かす often takes nouns like 'kanjou' (emotions), 'yoron' (public opinion), or 'rekishi' (history) as its object. In these cases, the 'movement' is not physical but a shift in the collective consciousness or the trajectory of events. A politician might try to 'ugokasu' public opinion through a campaign. An artist might 'ugokasu' the audience's heart through a painting. This demonstrates the verb's high semantic range, from the mundane task of moving a chair to the profound act of changing history.

Negative Usage

The negative form ugokasanai often implies a refusal to change or an inability to budge. 'Kesshin o ugokasanai' means to not move one's determination—remaining steadfast in a decision regardless of external pressure.

You will encounter 動かす (ugokasu) in a vast array of real-world environments, ranging from the extremely casual to the highly professional. In a Japanese household, it is a daily word. Parents tell children to 'move their toys' (omocha o ugokashite) to clear a path. In the kitchen, one might ask to 'move the pot' (nabe o ugokasu) to make room for another dish. These are the physical, immediate uses that form the foundation of the word's usage for a beginner learner.

In a professional or office setting, the word shifts toward the abstract and the mechanical. IT professionals use it when referring to 'running' a program or 'moving' data. Project managers use it when 'moving' deadlines or 'shifting' resources between departments. If you are working in a Japanese factory or a technical environment, 動かす is the standard term for operating heavy machinery or starting a production line. It is a word of control and operation.

In the media, especially in news and documentaries, 動かす is used to describe large-scale changes. You might hear about 'the incident that moved the era' (jidai o ugokashita jiken) or 'the leader who moved the nation' (kuni o ugokashita rida). Here, the word carries a weight of significance and historical impact. It suggests that the person or event had the 'power' (ryoku) to shift the 'heavy' (juu) momentum of society. This is the C1/C2 level of usage where the verb takes on a grander, more philosophical meaning.

In the gaming world, players 'ugokasu' their characters (kyarakuta o ugokasu). If the controls are sluggish, a player might complain that the character 'doesn't move the way I want' (omotta toori ni ugokasenai). This highlights the connection between the user's intent and the resulting action on the screen. Whether it is a joystick, a steering wheel, or a paintbrush, 動かす describes the bridge between human will and the physical or digital response.

Gym and Health

Instructors will say 'Teashi o shikkari ugokashite!' (Move your arms and legs firmly!). This is a common phrase in morning radio exercises (Rajio Taiso) across Japan, where millions of people 'move their bodies' simultaneously.

The single most common mistake for learners of Japanese is confusing 動かす (ugokasu) with its intransitive pair 動く (ugoku). In English, we use the same word 'move' for both scenarios: 'The clock moves' and 'I move the clock.' In Japanese, saying 'Tokei o ugoku' is grammatically incorrect because ugoku cannot take a direct object. Conversely, saying 'Tokei ga ugokasu' sounds like the clock itself is moving some other unnamed object. You must remember: [Object] を 動かす (I move it) vs. [Object] が 動く (It moves).

The 'Moving House' Trap

English speakers often try to translate 'I am moving to a new apartment' using 動かす. This is a mistake. 動かす refers to shifting objects. If you are changing your place of residence, you must use 引っ越す (hikkosu). Using 動かす in this context would sound like you are physically picking up the entire apartment building and shifting it a few inches.

Confusion with 'Hakobu'

Another common error is using 動かす when you should use 運ぶ (hakobu). 動かす is about the act of initiating motion or shifting position, often within a limited space. 運ぶ specifically means 'to carry' or 'to transport' something over a distance. If you are taking a box to the post office, you are 'carrying' it (hakobu), not just 'moving' it (ugokasu).

Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the metaphorical use. While 'ugokasu' can mean to 'move' someone emotionally, it is specifically used for profound, deep shifts in feeling. For everyday excitement or being 'moved' by a small kindness, Japanese speakers might use 感動する (kandou suru) instead. 動かす carries a sense of 'changing' the person's internal state or resolve. If you use it for something trivial, it may sound overly dramatic.

Lastly, be careful with the particle に. When moving an object to a location, learners sometimes use で (de). Remember that で indicates the location where the action happens, whereas に indicates the destination of the movement. If you say 'Heya de tsukue o ugokasu', it means you are moving the desk while you are inside the room. If you say 'Mado no soba ni tsukue o ugokasu', it means the desk's final destination is by the window.

Japanese has several words that overlap with 動かす (ugokasu), and choosing the right one depends on the context of the movement—whether it is physical, emotional, or systematic. Understanding these nuances will elevate your Japanese from basic to natural. Below is a comparison of common alternatives.

動かす vs. 運ぶ (Hakobu)

As mentioned before, 動かす is about shifting position or starting motion. 運ぶ is about 'transporting' or 'carrying.' If you move a chair from the left side of the room to the right, use 動かす. If you take that chair to a different building, 運ぶ is more appropriate.

動かす vs. 移動させる (Idou saseru)

移動させる is the formal, technical way to say 'to cause to move' or 'to transfer.' You will see this in computer menus (Move File) or in formal business reports. 動かす is more common in spoken language and daily life.

動かす vs. 感動させる (Kandou saseru)

When talking about moving someone emotionally, 感動させる specifically means 'to impress' or 'to touch.' While 動かす (as in kokoro o ugokasu) is poetic and deep, 感動させる is the standard way to say a movie or a song moved you.

Other related words include 揺らす (yurasu), which means 'to shake' or 'to swing' something (like a cradle or a tree branch). While 動かす is a general movement, 揺らす describes a specific back-and-forth motion. Similarly, ずらす (zurasu) means to 'slide' or 'offset' something slightly. If you are moving a meeting by just 10 minutes, zurasu is perfect because it implies a small adjustment rather than a major shift.

In the context of operation, 操作する (sousa suru) is a common synonym for 動かす when referring to technical devices. While you can 'ugokasu' a machine, 'sousa suru' specifically means to 'manipulate' or 'operate' the controls. If you are talking about the skill of driving or using a complex remote, 'sousa' is the more precise noun-verb combination. However, 動かす remains the most versatile and essential verb for any learner to master first.