履行

• Pinyin: lǚ xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 履 = 尸 + 彳 + 复 (footwear/to step upon, carry out); 行 = to walk/perform

Meaning

To fulfil, carry out, or perform (an obligation, duty, contract, or promise). Implies formal and complete execution of a commitment.

Formal and legal in register. Key phrases: 履行合同 (fulfil a contract), 履行职责 (fulfil one's duties), 履行承诺 (honour one's promise), 履行义务 (perform one's obligations). Central to legal, contractual, and official discourse.

Examples

1. 甲方须按照合同约定的时间节点如期履行付款义务，不得无故拖延。 Party A must make payments on schedule according to the contract and must not delay without cause.
2. 作为公民，每个人都有依法纳税、履行社会责任的义务。 As citizens, everyone has the obligation to pay taxes according to law and fulfill their social responsibilities.
3. 该国政府迄今未履行在国际条约中所做出的减排承诺，遭到多国批评。 To this day, that government has not carried out the emissions-reduction commitments it made in international treaties and has been criticized by many countries.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, contracts, official duties, diplomacy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 双方须严格按照协议条款履行各自的权利与义务。(Both parties must strictly fulfil their respective rights and obligations in accordance with the terms of the agreement.)
• 法院判决要求被告在三十日内履行赔偿责任，否则将依法强制执行。(The court ruling required the defendant to fulfil the compensation obligation within thirty days, failing which enforcement measures would be taken.)

Don't Say

• 将履行与执行混淆 — 履行 means to fulfil an existing obligation or commitment from one's own side; 执行 means to enforce or execute, often implying external authority compelling an action

Origin & History

履 (to tread upon/to carry out) + 行 (to walk/to perform/to execute) — to tread upon and carry through, i.e., to fulfil

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal