How to Say ‘Hardly move at all’ in Simplified Chinese
基本不怎么动
jī běn bù zěn me dòng
[jīběn bù zěnme dòng]
💬 Usage Tip: 不怎么 plus an action means "not much" or "hardly", a softer way to say no than 不 alone: 不怎么喝酒 "hardly drink". Here 动 means "move about" or "exercise".
Phrase Breakdown
基本
jī běn
[jīběn]
basically; mostly
On the whole; for the most part.
工作基本完成了。
The work is basically done.
不怎么动
bù zěn me dòng
hardly move (exercise)
不怎么 (bù zěnme, not really) + 动 (dòng, move or exercise). 么 is light.
他不怎么动。
He hardly exercises.
Words in this phrase
不
bù
[bù]
not
Used to make verbs negative.
这世上还是很多人不作不死。
There are still many people in the world who can't help causing trouble.
怎么
zěn me
[zěnme]
not much (with 不)
不怎么 + verb means 'hardly, not very much'.
他不怎么说话。
He hardly talks.
动
dòng
[dòng]
to move; to exercise
Here: to be physically active.
多动一动对身体好。
Moving more is good for health.
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