Definitions

xíng (verb) to walk; to go; to travel
xíng (verb) to do; to perform
xíng (adjective) okay; alright; acceptable
xíng (noun) behavior; conduct
háng (noun) row; line
háng (noun) profession; trade

Etymology

Depicts a street intersection.

About

The character "行" derives from an early pictograph of a crossroad, with its structure depicting two intersecting pathways. This imagery directly informed its initial meaning of a road or thoroughfare, which then naturally evolved to encompass the action of moving along such a path, giving it the verbal sense of to walk or to proceed. Subsequently, the meaning broadened further to abstract notions of conduct and behavior, analogizing how one navigates life's choices. Throughout these shifts, the character's form has remained consistent, preserving its historical connection to the concept of intersection and movement.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

zhè ge wèn tí wǒ kě yǐ bāng nǐ.

我明天去银行。

Wǒ míng tiān qù yín háng.

I'm going to the bank tomorrow.

这样做行不行?

Zhè yàng zuò xíng bù xíng?

Is it okay to do it this way?

我步行去上班。

Wǒ bù xíng qù shàng bān.

I walk to work.

这个计划完全可行。

Zhè ge jì huà wán quán kě xíng.

This plan is completely feasible.

他的行为值得表扬。

Tā de xíng wéi zhí dé biǎo yáng.

His behavior deserves praise.

请到行政办公室来。

Qǐng dào xíng zhèng bàn gōng shì lái.

Please come to the administrative office.

这次旅行计划很周详。

Zhè cì lǚ xíng jì huà hěn zhōu xiáng.

This travel plan is very thorough.

公司正在进行业务转型。

Gōng sī zhèng zài jìn xíng yè wù zhuǎn xíng.