xíng / háng: 行 - to go, to walk; a row, a profession

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• Summary: 行 is a fundamental and incredibly versatile Chinese character with two main pronunciations: xíng and háng. As xíng, it relates to movement, action, and capability, commonly meaning “to go,” “to travel,” or a simple “okay!” As háng, it refers to rows, lines, and by extension, professions or industries, as seen in the word for “bank” (银行, yínháng). Understanding the dual nature of 行 is a major step in moving from a beginner to an intermediate Chinese learner, unlocking a vast range of vocabulary related to everything from bicycles to business.

The character 行 has two primary pronunciations that unlock different sets of meanings. It's essential to learn them separately.

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1. Xíng

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xíng
• Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
• HSK Level: 1
• Concise Definition: To go, to walk, to travel; to be okay, to be capable.
• In a Nutshell: Think of xíng as “action” and “capability.” It's about movement, whether it's physically walking or traveling, or the abstract “movement” of a plan going forward. When you say something is `行 (xíng)`, it means “it works,” “it's capable,” or simply “okay.”

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2. Háng

• Pinyin (with tone marks): háng
• Part of Speech: Noun, Measure Word
• HSK Level: 3 (in words like 银行)
• Concise Definition: A row, a line; a trade, a profession, a business firm.
• In a Nutshell: Think of háng as “order” and “organization.” It originally meant a row or line of things. This extended to mean a line of business or a trade, grouping people by their profession. You use `háng` when talking about industries, banks, or literal lines of text.

• 行: The character is a pictogram of a crossroads or an intersection (四通八达的街道). This visual origin perfectly explains its dual meanings:
  • You go or travel (`xíng`) through an intersection.
  • An intersection is formed by intersecting rows or lines (`háng`).

By remembering the image of a crossroads, you can easily recall both the “movement” and “line” concepts embedded in this single powerful character.

The concept of `行 (xíng)` is deeply woven into Chinese thought, particularly the idea that knowledge must be paired with action. A famous philosophical concept is 知行合一 (zhī xíng hé yī), or “the unity of knowledge and action,” promoted by the Ming dynasty philosopher Wang Yangming. It argues that one cannot truly be said to “know” something without acting upon it. If you know that helping people is good, you must actually help people to complete that knowledge. This contrasts with a more passive Western “armchair philosophy” tradition, highlighting a cultural emphasis on pragmatism and lived experience. Furthermore, `行` is central to the concept of 五行 (Wǔ Xíng), often translated as the “Five Elements” (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). A more accurate translation of `行` here is “Five Phases” or “Five Movements,” as it describes the dynamic processes and transitions between these cosmic forces, not just static elements. This shows how `行 (xíng)` represents a fundamental worldview of constant change and interaction.

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Using “xíng” (Action & Okay) This is one of the most common and versatile uses you'll encounter in daily conversation.

• As “Okay / Alright / Sure”: This is a high-frequency, informal way to agree to something. Someone asks, “我们去看电影，好吗？” (Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng, hǎo ma? - Let's go see a movie, okay?). A perfectly natural response is just “行!” (Xíng! - Okay! / Sure!).
• To Ask About Capability: The structure `行不行 (xíng bu xíng)` is used to ask “Can you do it?” or “Will it work?”. For example: “这个任务你一个人行不行？” (Zhège rènwù nǐ yīgè rén xíng bu xíng? - Can you handle this task by yourself?).
• In Compound Words for Movement: It forms the basis for many words related to travel and action, like `旅行 (lǚxíng)` (to travel) and `自行车 (zìxíngchē)` (bicycle, or “self-propelled vehicle”).

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Using “háng” (Rows & Professions) This usage is more specific and appears in nouns related to organization and business.

• Professions and Industries: The word `行业 (hángyè)` means “industry” or “trade.” You might ask someone: “你从事哪个行业？” (Nǐ cóngshì nǎge hángyè? - Which industry do you work in?).
• Businesses: The most common example is `银行 (yínháng)`, meaning “bank.” The `银 (yín)` means “silver,” so it's literally a “silver firm” or “silver business.”
• As a Measure Word for Lines: You can use `行 (háng)` to count lines of people or text. For example: `第一行 (dì yī háng)` means “the first row.”

Example 1 (as xíng - okay):

• A: 明天早上八点来接我，行吗？

B: 行，没问题！

• Pinyin: A: Míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn lái jiē wǒ, xíng ma?

B: Xíng, méi wèntí!

• English: A: Can you come pick me up at 8 tomorrow morning?

B: Okay, no problem!

• Analysis: This is a perfect example of `行` used as a simple, affirmative “okay” or “sure.” It's common, friendly, and informal.

Example 2 (as háng - profession):

• 他在金融行业工作了很多年。
• Pinyin: Tā zài jīnróng hángyè gōngzuòle hěnduō nián.
• English: He has worked in the financial industry for many years.
• Analysis: Here, `行` is pronounced `háng` and is part of the word `行业 (hángyè)`, meaning industry. Notice how the context of “work” and “finance” immediately signals the `háng` pronunciation.

Example 3 (as xíng - capability):

• 你觉得这个计划行得通吗？
• Pinyin: Nǐ juédé zhège jìhuà xíng de tōng ma?
• English: Do you think this plan is workable?
• Analysis: The phrase `行得通 (xíng de tōng)` is a set expression meaning “to be feasible” or “to work.” The opposite is `行不通 (xíng bu tōng)`.

Example 4 (as háng - bank):

• 我要去银行取点钱。
• Pinyin: Wǒ yào qù yínháng qǔ diǎn qián.
• English: I need to go to the bank to withdraw some money.
• Analysis: `银行 (yínháng)` is one of the first words learners encounter with the `háng` pronunciation. It means “bank.”

Example 5 (as xíng - travel):

• 我计划夏天去欧洲旅行。
• Pinyin: Wǒ jìhuà xiàtiān qù Ōuzhōu lǚxíng.
• English: I'm planning to travel to Europe in the summer.
• Analysis: `旅行 (lǚxíng)` is the standard word for “to travel” or “a trip.” `行` here clearly denotes movement over a distance.

Example 6 (as xíng - behavior):

• 他的这种行为非常不礼貌。
• Pinyin: Tā de zhè zhǒng xíngwéi fēicháng bù lǐmào.
• English: This kind of behavior of his is very impolite.
• Analysis: `行为 (xíngwéi)` means “behavior” or “conduct.” It's a person's “actions.”

Example 7 (as háng - a row):

• 请在这张纸的第三行签名。
• Pinyin: Qǐng zài zhè zhāng zhǐ de dì sān háng qiānmíng.
• English: Please sign on the third line of this paper.
• Analysis: `行 (háng)` is used here as a measure word for lines or rows.

Example 8 (as xíng - bicycle):

• 我每天骑自行车上班。
• Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān qí zìxíngchē shàngbān.
• English: I ride a bicycle to work every day.
• Analysis: `自行车 (zìxíngchē)` literally means “self-moving vehicle,” a perfect example of `行` contributing the meaning of movement.

Example 9 (as xíng - capability):

• 他太累了，走不动了，我看不行。
• Pinyin: Tā tài lèi le, zǒu bu dòng le, wǒ kàn bu xíng.
• English: He's too tired, he can't walk anymore, I don't think he can make it.
• Analysis: `不行 (bù xíng)` is the direct negation, meaning “not okay,” “won't work,” or “unacceptable.” Here it means he is not capable of continuing.

Example 10 (as háng - expert in a field):

• 买电脑你得问他，他是内行。
• Pinyin: Mǎi diànnǎo nǐ děi wèn tā, tā shì nèiháng.
• English: You should ask him about buying a computer; he's an expert.
• Analysis: `内行 (nèiháng)` literally means “inside the trade” and refers to an expert or insider. The opposite is `外行 (wàiháng)`, a layman or amateur.

1. Pronunciation is Key: The most common mistake is mixing up `xíng` and `háng`. Rule of thumb: If it's about action, movement, or being “okay,” it's `xíng`. If it's about rows, lines, or a profession/industry, it's `háng`. Reading `银行 (yínháng)` as `yínxíng` is a classic beginner error. 2. `行 (xíng)` vs. `走 (zǒu)`: Both can mean “to go” or “to walk,” but they have different flavors.

• `走 (zǒu)` is the basic, common verb for “to walk.” (e.g., `我们走吧 - Wǒmen zǒu ba` - Let's go/walk.)
• `行 (xíng)` is more formal when used for walking (`步行 - bùxíng`) and more general when used for travel (`旅行 - lǚxíng`). You wouldn't typically say `我行去学校` (I xíng to school). You'd say `我走去学校` (I walk to school) or `我走路去学校` (I walk to school).

3. Formality of “行!” (Xíng!): While “行!” is a very common way to say “okay,” it's on the informal side. It's perfect for friends and daily situations. In a more formal or business setting, `好的 (hǎo de)` or `可以 (kěyǐ)` are often safer and more polite choices.

• 银行 (yínháng) - Bank. The most common word using the `háng` pronunciation.
• 旅行 (lǚxíng) - To travel; a trip. A core vocabulary word using the `xíng` pronunciation for movement.
• 自行车 (zìxíngchē) - Bicycle. Literally “self-`xíng` vehicle.”
• 可以 (kěyǐ) - Can; may; okay. A close synonym for `行 (xíng)` when giving permission or agreeing, but often implies permission more than capability.
• 走 (zǒu) - To walk. A more specific verb for movement on foot than the general concept of `行 (xíng)`.
• 行业 (hángyè) - Industry; trade; profession. The primary word for “industry,” using the `háng` sound.
• 行李 (xíngli) - Luggage; baggage. The belongings you take when you `行` (travel).
• 行动 (xíngdòng) - Action; operation; to move. A more formal term for taking action.
• 五行 (wǔxíng) - The Five Phases/Elements. A deep cultural concept where `行` means phases or movements, not static elements.