• This 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.

    (Please excuse me for interjecting my knowledge of the Chinese Language into everything lolz)

      • 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.

    • SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social
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      7 days ago

      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.