实行

• Pinyin: shí xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 实 = simplified from 實, meaning real or actual; 行 = originally depicted a crossroads, meaning to walk or to carry out

Meaning

To implement; to carry out; to put into practice. To execute a plan, policy, or system.

A formal verb for putting plans, policies, regulations, or systems into action. Common in official, governmental, and organisational contexts. Collocations: 实行政策 (implement a policy), 实行制度 (carry out a system), 实行改革 (carry out reforms). More formal than 做 (to do) and emphasises systematic execution.

Examples

1. 学校从下个月开始实行新的考试制度。 The school will begin implementing a new exam system starting next month.
2. 公司决定实行弹性工作时间。 The company decided to implement flexible working hours.
3. 政府实行了一系列环保措施。 The government implemented a series of environmental protection measures.

Usage Guide

Context: government, policy, business, education

Tone: official

Do Say

• 这项新规定下个月开始实行。(This new regulation will take effect next month.)
• 实行这个计划需要大家的配合。(Implementing this plan requires everyone's cooperation.)

Don't Say

• 我实行了回家。(Don't use 实行 for personal daily actions — it's for policies and systems. Just say 我回家了.)

Origin & History

实 means real or actual; 行 means to walk or to carry out. Together: to actually carry out — to implement in practice.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal