Action : differences between 行動, 活動, 動作, 作用 and 仕草


I'm currently learning some vocab through wanikani, and they have these two
words 仕草 and 作用 both meaning "action", but no nuance is explained, and when
checking on jishou for a more proper word for action that could fit
everywhere, and found three more to add to the list. So could anyone shed some
light on the different usages of these words please ?




活動 is a habitual activity, eg hobby, routine, club activities, or even
limited-time sustained effort (eg 就職活動 = job hunt)

行動 is a more generic one-shot behavior or action

仕草 is more about the way you carry yourself, mannerisms, motions, etc.

作用 ~ not much experience with this one, but I believe it is a process, eg a
scientific or biological process.

