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:

実際に行ってみなければ分からない。

Jissai ni itte minakereba wakaranai

I don't know if I really won't.

• 実際に - adverb that means "actually"
• 行って - verb form of the verb "ir" in the imperative
• みなければ - negative verbal form of the verb "see" in the conditional
• 分からない - negative verbal form of the verb "entender"

審議を行う必要があります。

Shingi wo okonau hitsuyou ga arimasu

It is necessary to perform a deliberation.

It is necessary to perform deliberations.

• 審議 - deliberation, discussion
• を - direct object particle
• 行う - perform, execute
• 必要 - necessity, essential
• が - subject particle
• あります - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

左右を見てから行動してください。

Sayuu wo mite kara koudou shite kudasai

Por favor, olhe para a esquerda e para a direita antes de agir.

Please act after looking left and right.

• 左右を見て - look left and right
• から - Later
• 行動してください - take action

市場に行きます。

Ichiba ni ikimasu

I'm going to the market.

Go to the market.

• 市場 (ichiba) - Marketplace
• に (ni) - Particle that indicates destination or location
• 行きます (ikimasu) - Go

平行線は永遠に交わらない。

Heikōsen wa eien ni majiwaranai

Linhas paralelas nunca se encontram.

The parallel line will not be exchanged forever.

• 平行線 (heikou-sen) - parallel lines
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 永遠に (eien ni) - forever
• 交わらない (mawaranai) - do not cross

幼稚な行動をやめて大人になろう。

Yōchi na kōdō o yamete otona ni narou

Stop the child behavior and become an adult.

• 幼稚な - Childish, immature
• 行動 - behavior, action
• を - object particle
• やめて - Stop, cease
• 大人 - adult
• に - target particle
• なろう - to become

幽霊が出るところには行きたくないです。

Yūrei ga deru tokoro ni wa ikitakunai desu

I don't want to go where the ghosts come out.

• 幽霊 - Ghost
• が - subject particle
• 出る - Appear
• ところ - place
• には - focus particle
• 行きたくない - not wanting to go
• です - Sentence-ending particle

彼は度を超えた行動をとった。

Kare wa do o koeta kōdō o totta

He acted beyond the limits.

He takes action beyond.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 度 (tabi) - Time
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 超えた (koeta) - Surpassed
• 行動 (koudou) - action
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• とった (totta) - took

彼は規則に反する行動をした。

Kare wa kisoku ni hansuru koudou o shita

He acted in disagreement with the rules.

He acted against the rules.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 規則 - Japanese noun meaning "rule"
• に - destination particle in Japanese
• 反する - Japanese verb that means "to go against", "violate"
• 行動 - Japanese noun meaning "action"
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• した - Japanese past tense verb meaning "did"

彼の行方は分からない。

Kare no yukue wa wakaranai

I don't know where he went.

I don't know where he goes.

• 彼の行方 - "Kare no yukue" means "his whereabouts".
• は - "Wa" is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 分からない - "Wakaranai" means "I don't know" or "I don't understand."