盛行

• Pinyin: shèng xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 盛 = abundant, flourishing; 行 = to practice — to prevail

Meaning

To prevail; to be prevalent; to be in vogue. When something is widespread or popular in a particular time or place.

Used to describe trends, customs, diseases, or phenomena that are widespread in a society or era. Often appears in discussions of social trends, historical periods, or regional characteristics. More formal than 流行 but similar in meaning.

Examples

1. 唐代盛行诗歌，出现了许多著名诗人。 Poetry flourished during the Tang Dynasty, producing many famous poets.
2. 近年来，网络直播在年轻人中盛行。 In recent years, live streaming has become prevalent among young people.
3. 这种疾病在热带地区盛行。 This disease is prevalent in tropical regions.

Usage Guide

Context: trends, history, society

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这种风格现在很盛行。(This style is very popular now.)
• 当时盛行一种观念。(A certain notion prevailed at that time.)

Don't Say

• 口语中用'流行'更自然 (In casual speech, use 流行 — 盛行 sounds more literary/formal)

Origin & History

Compound of 盛 (flourishing, prosperous) + 行 (to practice, carry out). Together meaning flourishing practice or prevalence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal