xíng le: 行了 - Okay, Alright, That's Enough

• Keywords: xing le, 行了, meaning of xing le, how to use xing le, Chinese for okay, Chinese for that's enough, xíngle, xíng, le, Chinese grammar, common Chinese phrases, stop it in Chinese.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 行了 (xíng le), one of the most versatile and essential phrases in Mandarin Chinese. More than just a simple “okay,” it can express agreement, signal that a task is complete, or emphatically mean “that's enough!” or “stop it!”. This comprehensive guide explores the rich cultural context and practical uses of 行了, helping beginner learners master its nuances through clear explanations and real-world example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xíng le
• Part of Speech: Interjection / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (but composed of HSK 1/2 characters)
• Concise Definition: A phrase indicating that something is acceptable, has been completed, or should stop.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 行了 (xíng le) as a powerful “status update” phrase. The character `行 (xíng)` means “okay” or “workable,” and the particle `了 (le)` marks a change of state or completion. Together, they announce, “The situation has now become okay,” “This is now sufficient,” or “This action is now finished.” Its meaning is heavily dependent on your tone of voice, ranging from a happy confirmation to an impatient command.

• 行 (xíng): The character's original form depicts a crossroads or intersection. This gives it the core meaning of “to go,” “to walk,” or “to travel.” By extension, it came to mean something that “works,” “is permissible,” or is “okay”—as in, the path is clear to proceed.
• 了 (le): This is a crucial grammatical particle. It doesn't have a direct English translation but indicates a completed action or a new situation. Think of it as adding a “now” or “-ed” to the feeling of a sentence. It signals that a change has occurred.

When combined, 行了 (xíng le) literally means “[it] is okay now” or “[it] has become okay.” This foundation is what allows it to have so many different applications, from “Alright, the plan is set” to “Okay, that's enough pouring now.”

行了 (xíng le) embodies a certain pragmatism and directness in Chinese communication. It's a tool for efficiency, used to quickly establish a state of sufficiency, finality, or agreement. In Western culture, a phrase like “Alright” or “Okay” can serve a similar function, but 行了 often carries a stronger sense of finality. For example, if you're discussing a plan and someone says, “Alright, let's do it,” the conversation might still continue with minor details. When a Chinese speaker concludes a discussion with a firm “行了,” it often means “The decision is made, this topic is closed, let's move on.” This phrase can also be used to manage interpersonal dynamics without lengthy explanations. If a friend is pouring you tea, instead of saying “I think I have a sufficient amount of tea in my cup now, so you can stop pouring,” you can simply say a gentle “行了” (Okay, that's good). If a child is whining, a parent's sharp “行了!” (Alright, that's enough!) is an unambiguous command to stop. It's a highly efficient, context-driven phrase that cuts to the chase.

The meaning of 行了 depends almost entirely on tone and context.

In this neutral or positive usage, it confirms that a proposal is acceptable or a condition has been met. It often implies “That will work” or “It's settled.”

Used to announce that a task has been successfully finished. It's a very common and useful way to update someone on your progress.

Used to stop an action, typically when receiving something like food, a drink, or even help. The tone is usually polite and appreciative. Saying it twice, “行了, 行了,” is very common and softens the command.

With a sharp, falling tone, 行了 becomes a command to cease an annoying action, like complaining, nagging, or making noise. It's the equivalent of “Cut it out!” or “I've heard enough!”

Example 1: (Agreement)

• 这个计划听起来不错，行了，就这么办吧。
• Pinyin: Zhège jìhuà tīng qǐlái bùcuò, xíng le, jiù zhème bàn ba.
• English: This plan sounds pretty good. Alright, let's just do it this way.
• Analysis: Here, `行了` is used to close the discussion and confirm the plan. It's decisive and positive.

Example 2: (Completion)

• A: 晚餐准备行了吗？ (Wǎncān zhǔnbèi xíng le ma?) - Is dinner ready?
• B: 行了，可以吃饭了。 (Xíng le, kěyǐ chīfàn le.) - It's ready, we can eat now.
• Analysis: A very common and practical use. `行了` here is interchangeable with `好了 (hǎo le)`, meaning “it's done.”

Example 3: (Setting a Limit - Polite)

• (Someone is pouring you tea)
• A: 够吗？ (Gòu ma?) - Is that enough?
• B: 行了，行了，谢谢！(Xíng le, xíng le, xièxiè!) - That's enough, that's enough, thank you!
• Analysis: Repeating `行了` makes it softer and more polite. It's a standard way to indicate you've received enough of something.

Example 4: (Impatience / Annoyance)

• 行了！你别再抱怨了，好吗？
• Pinyin: Xíng le! Nǐ bié zài bàoyuàn le, hǎo ma?
• English: Alright, that's enough! Can you stop complaining?
• Analysis: The tone here would be sharp and exasperated. `行了` functions as a command to stop the annoying behavior.

Example 5: (Reassurance)

• 别担心，这点小事，我一个人就行了。
• Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, zhè diǎn xiǎoshì, wǒ yīgè rén jiù xíng le.
• English: Don't worry, for a small matter like this, I can handle it myself (literally: me alone is okay).
• Analysis: Here, `行了` means “will be sufficient” or “will be okay.” It’s used to reassure someone that the current resources (in this case, just one person) are enough.

Example 6: (Question Form)

• 我这样穿行了吗？会不会太随便了？
• Pinyin: Wǒ zhèyàng chuān xíng le ma? Huì bù huì tài suíbiàn le?
• English: Is it okay if I dress like this? Is it too casual?
• Analysis: Adding the question particle `吗 (ma)` turns it into a query: “Is this situation okay now?”

Example 7: (Dismissive Agreement)

• A: 我真的知道错了，你再给我一次机会吧！(Wǒ zhēn de zhīdào cuò le, nǐ zài gěi wǒ yīcì jīhuì ba!) - I really know I was wrong, give me one more chance!
• B: 行了，行了，我知道了。(Xíng le, xíng le, wǒ zhīdào le.) - Alright, alright, I get it.
• Analysis: This double `行了` isn't polite like in Example 3. Here, it's dismissive, communicating “I've heard this before, stop talking.”

Example 8: (Task is Sufficient)

• 作业写到这里就行了，剩下的明天再写。
• Pinyin: Zuòyè xiě dào zhèlǐ jiù xíng le, shèng xià de míngtiān zài xiě.
• English: Writing the homework up to this point is fine. You can write the rest tomorrow.
• Analysis: `行了` establishes a sufficient boundary. It means “This is enough for now.”

Example 9: (Concluding a Purchase)

• A: 您还需要别的吗？(Nín hái xūyào bié de ma?) - Do you need anything else?
• B: 不用了，这些就行了。(Bùyòng le, zhèxiē jiù xíng le.) - No thanks, this is enough.
• Analysis: A common phrase in retail. It means “What I have is sufficient; the transaction can conclude.”

Example 10: (Cutting someone off)

• 行了，你的意思我明白了，不用再解释了。
• Pinyin: Xíng le, nǐ de yìsi wǒ míngbái le, bùyòng zài jiěshì le.
• English: Okay, I understand what you mean, you don't need to explain further.
• Analysis: This is a firm but not necessarily angry way to end a conversation. It states that the goal of communication (understanding) has been reached and further talk is redundant.

• Mistake 1: Using `行了` as a simple “Okay.”
• For a simple, polite agreement to a request (e.g., “Can you pass the salt?”), a native speaker would almost always use `好的 (hǎo de)` or `可以 (kěyǐ)`. Using `行了` in this context can sound slightly abrupt or final, as if you're saying, “Okay, request acknowledged and completed.” Stick to `好的` for a friendly, all-purpose “okay.”
• Mistake 2: Ignoring the tone.
• This is the biggest pitfall. The difference between a gentle, smiling “行了” (when receiving a gift) and a sharp, frowning “行了!” (when hearing a lame excuse) is everything. As a learner, pay close attention to the emotional context when you hear this phrase.
• Mistake 3: Confusing it with `算了 (suàn le)`.
• `行了` can be dismissive (“Alright, enough”), but `算了 (suàn le)` specifically means “forget it” or “let it go.” `行了` stops an action; `算了` abandons an idea or plan, often with a sense of resignation or frustration.
• *Incorrect:* Your friend suggests a restaurant you don't like. You say: “行了” (This sounds like “Okay, enough suggestions!” and is rude).
• *Correct:* “算了，我们去别的地方吧。” (Suàn le, wǒmen qù bié de dìfāng ba.) - “Forget it, let's go somewhere else.”

• 行 (xíng) - The root word. Used alone, it's a casual way to say “Okay” or “It works.” (e.g., “明天行吗?” “行!”)
• 好了 (hǎo le) - Very similar to `行了`, especially when meaning “it's ready” or “it's done.” `好了` is slightly more focused on the state of being “good” or “complete.”
• 可以 (kěyǐ) - Means “can,” “may,” or “okay.” It's often used to give or ask for permission. It's a more neutral “okay” than `行了`.
• 够了 (gòu le) - Specifically means “it's enough” in terms of quantity. It's often paired with `行了` for emphasis: `行了，够了!`
• 算了 (suàn le) - Means “forget it” or “let it go.” It implies giving up on an idea or course of action and is more negative than `行了`.
• 好的 (hǎo de) - The most common, polite, and safe way to say “okay” or “alright” when agreeing to a request.
• 别说了 (bié shuō le) - “Stop talking.” A phrase that frequently follows an impatient `行了!`.