Translation and Meaning of: 行 - gyou

The Japanese word 行[ぎょう] is a versatile term that appears in various contexts, from everyday language to more formal expressions. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding the meaning, origin, and uses of this word can be extremely helpful. In this article, we will explore everything about 行[ぎょう], including its writing, pronunciation, and practical applications. Furthermore, we will look at how it is perceived in Japanese culture and tips for memorizing it effectively.

If you've ever used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you know that it's one of the best tools for learning Japanese accurately. Here, we go beyond simple translation, diving into details that make learning richer and more contextualized. Shall we begin?

Meaning and use of 行[ぎょう]

The term 行[ぎょう] has multiple meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. One of the most common uses is to refer to a "line" or "row," as in texts or physical arrangements. For example, in a book, 行 indicates the lines of text, while in a supermarket, it can describe the rows of products.

Moreover, 行 can also mean "to go" or "to perform" when used as part of compound verbs. This duality of meanings makes the word especially interesting for students, as its understanding depends on the situation in which it appears. Knowing how to differentiate these uses is essential to avoid confusion in communication.

Origin and writing of the kanji 行

The kanji 行 has an ancient origin, and its structure reflects its original meaning. It is composed of the radicals 彳 (step with the left foot) and 亍 (step with the right foot), symbolizing the movement of walking. This visual representation helps to understand why the character is associated with ideas like "to go" or "line."

It is worth noting that 行 has other readings besides ぎょう, such as こう and い. Each of them carries different nuances, but ぎょう is the most common reading in daily life. Studying the variations of readings is an important step in mastering the correct use of this kanji in different situations.

Tips for memorizing 行[ぎょう]

An effective way to fix 行[ぎょう] in memory is to associate it with images or everyday situations. For example, think of a text full of lines (行) or visualize someone walking (行く). Creating these mental connections makes it easier to remember when you need to use the word.

Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as "この行を読んでください" ("Please read this line"). The more you expose your brain to the term in real contexts, the more natural its use becomes. Tools like flashcards and spaced repetition apps can also be great allies in this process.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 歩く (Aruku) - walk, walk
• 歩行する (Hokou suru) - take a walk, go for a walk
• 歩み (Ayumi) - step, progress
• 歩み寄り (Ayumiyori) - commitment, approach
• 歩調 (Hochou) - walking pace
• 歩幅 (Bohaba) - step width
• 歩数 (Hosuu) - number of steps
• 歩み方 (Ayumikata) - walking style
• 歩み止まる (Ayumi tomaru) - stop walking
• 歩みを進める (Ayumi o susumeru) - advance, proceed with progress
• 歩みを止める (Ayumi o tomeru) - stop the progress
• 歩みを早める (Ayumi o hayameru) - accelerate progress
• 歩みを遅らせる (Ayumi o okuraseru) - delay the progress
• 歩みを見直す (Ayumi o minaosu) - view progress
• 歩みを修正する (Ayumi o shuusei suru) - correct the progress
• 歩みを加速する (Ayumi o kasokushiru) - accelerate progress
• 歩みを減速する (Ayumi o gensoku suru) - reduce the speed of progress
• 歩みを変える (Ayumi o kaeru) - change the progress

行

Romaji: gyou
Kana: ぎょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: line;column;verse

Meaning in English: line;row;verse

Definition: to do some kind of activity.

Example Sentences - (行) gyou

See below some example sentences:

キャンプに行きたいです。

Kyampu ni ikitai desu

I want to go camping.

I want to go to the camp.

• キャンプ (kyanpu) - camping
• に (ni) - destination or location indication
• 行きたい (ikitai) - want to go
• です (desu) - polite way to end a sentence

行き違いが起こった。

Iki chigai ga okotta

There was a misunderstanding.

An error has occurred.

• 行き違い (ikichigai) - misunderstanding
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 起こった (okotta) - happened, occurred

私は行員ではありません。

Watashi wa gyouin de wa arimasen

I am not a bank employee.

I'm not an employee.

• Input - - - indicates that the input text will be presented next.
• 私 - - - word in Japanese that means "I".
• は - - - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I".
• 行員 - - - The word in Japanese that means "bank employee."
• ではありません - - - expression in Japanese that means "it's not".
• . - - period at the end of the sentence.
• Output - - - indicates that the result of the translation of the input text will be presented next.

通行禁止

tsūkō kinshi

Traffic is prohibited.

you shall not pass

• Input - - 通行禁止
• Output - -
• ul - - define an unordered list
• li - - define a item from the list
• strong - - define a bold text
• 通行禁止 - - Japanese text meaning "no entry"

インクを買いに行きます。

Inku wo kai ni ikimasu

I'm going to buy paint.

• インク (ink) - Noun that means ink in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Object particle that indicates that the previous noun is the object of the action.
• 買い (kai) - Noun that means purchase in Japanese.
• に (ni) - Destination particle indicating the place where the action is being directed
• 行きます (ikimasu) - Verb that means to go in Japanese, conjugated in the present affirmative

エレガントなドレスを着てパーティーに行きます。

Elegant na doresu wo kite paatii ni ikimasu

I go to a party wearing an elegant dress.

• エレガントな - elegant
• ドレス - dress
• を - direct object particle
• 着て - dressing (gerund verb)
• パーティー - party
• に - target particle
• 行きます - go

お八つ目の神社に行きたいです。

O hachitsume no jinja ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the eighth sanctuary.

I want to go to the eighth sanctuary.

• お八つ目 - eighth
• の - Possession particle
• 神社 - Shinto shrine
• に - target particle
• 行きたい - want to go
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

カセットを買いに行きます。

Kasetto wo kai ni ikimasu

I'm going to buy a cassette tape.

I'm going to buy a tape.

• カセット (kasetto) - Cassette
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 買い (kai) - Purchase
• に (ni) - Destination particle
• 行きます (ikimasu) - Please provide the text you would like to have translated.

この本は来月に刊行されます。

Kono hon wa raigetsu ni kankō sa remasu

This book will be published next month.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 本 - noun "book"
• は - Topic particle
• 来月 - noun "next month"
• に - particle of time
• 刊行 - noun "publication"
• されます - passive form of the verb "to do"

この新しいシステムの導入はスムーズに行われました。

Kono atarashii shisutemu no dōnyū wa sumūzu ni okonawaremashita

The introduction of this new system was carried out without any issues.

• この - this
• 新しい - new
• システム - system
• の - of
• 導入 - introduction
• は - is
• スムーズに - gently
• 行われました - was carried out