现行

• Pinyin: xiàn xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 现 = 王 + 见 (present); 行 = 彳 + 亍 (moving/in action)

Meaning

Current; in effect; currently enforced or in practice. Used to describe laws, regulations, or systems presently operative.

More formal and official than 目前 or 现在. Specifically applies to norms, rules, and institutional systems rather than general situations.

Examples

1. 现行法律对此类行为有明确的处罚规定。 Current law clearly specifies penalties for this kind of behavior.
2. 委员会对现行政策进行了全面审查和评估。 The committee conducted a comprehensive review and evaluation of the current policy.
3. 现行的税收制度需要进一步完善以适应经济发展。 The current tax system needs further improvement to meet the needs of economic development.

Usage Guide

Context: law, policy, government

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 现行规定不允许在此区域内从事商业经营活动。(Current regulations do not permit commercial business activities in this area.)
• 我们必须遵守现行的国际贸易准则和规范。(We must comply with the currently applicable international trade standards and norms.)

Don't Say

• 现行的天气很差 — use 目前 or 现在 for general situations; 现行 is reserved for formal rules and systems in operation

Origin & History

现 (current/present) + 行 (in operation/practice) — presently in operation

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult professionals

Social background: Universal