行

• Pinyin: xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 行 = pictograph of a crossroads — to walk, to go; extended to mean feasible or okay

Meaning

Okay; fine; will do; capable. A common colloquial response meaning that something is acceptable or feasible.

Pronounced xíng, this is one of the most useful conversational words in Chinese. As a response, 行 means okay or that works, similar to 好 but slightly more casual. As an adjective, it means capable or competent (你真行 you're really capable). Also used in 不行 (not okay, won't work) and 行不行 (is it okay?). Extremely frequent in daily conversation.

Examples

1. 我们明天去，行吗？ Shall we go tomorrow — is that okay?
2. 行，就这么办吧。 Sure, let's do it that way.
3. 这样不行，换一个方法。 This won't work; let's try another method.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 行，没问题。(Sure, no problem.)
• 你看这样行不行？(Do you think this works?)

Don't Say

• 在非常正式的书面场合用'行'来表示同意。(In very formal written contexts, use 可以 or 可行 instead of the casual 行)

Origin & History

Pictographic character originally depicting a crossroads or intersection. The core meaning was to walk or travel, later extending to mean feasible, capable, or acceptable.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal