English isn’t that far off. Animal has the same root as animate, which is the Latin anima, “soul” or “breath.” The English word plant has synonyms and general connotations of fixedness or non-intentionality.
Comment on Not impressed
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 2 days agoThis is where the Chinese Language comes to shine. Animal, 动物, literally “moving object”, so if it has roots (aka: plants, fungi), it cannot move on its own, therefore, not a 动物, Animal.
Like the words are self-explanatory, so beautiful.
SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social 1 day ago
ieatpwns@lemmy.world 2 days ago
No worries I know someone from hk who loves linguistics this will get me some brownie points
hungryphrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 day ago
Wouldn’t that make corals and sponges not animal, despite biologically being animals?
PyroVK@lemmy.zip 1 day ago
Can’t remember for corals but sponge’s larval stage moves around before deciding on a rock to call home.
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
Closes Chinese Dictionary
“Listen here you little shit…”
But I mean I guess they should make a new term called 植-动物 with the 植 (to plant, to establish) character from 植物 (planted/established objects, aka: plants), thus making it “planted- moving object”, aka: plant-like animal; or conversely 动-植物 with the 动 (moving) from 动物 (moving objects, aka: animal), thus making it “moving- planted object”, aka: animal-like plant.
Its like word lego.