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:

彼女は病気の友人を見舞うために病院に行きました。

Kanojo wa byouki no yuujin wo mimau tame ni byouin ni ikimashita

She went to the hospital to visit a sick friend.

She went to the hospital to see her sick friend.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 友人 (yuujin) - amigo/amiga
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見舞う (mimau) - visit (someone who is ill)
• ために (tameni) - for
• 病院 (byouin) - hospital
• に (ni) - Location particle
• 行きました (ikimashita) - foi (past tense of ir)

従って行動することが大切です。

Juntatte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to act accordingly.

So it's important to act.

• 従って - it means "consequently" or "according to".
• 行動する - means "to act" or "to behave".
• こと - it is a noun that indicates action or event.
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar".

心得を持って行動することが大切です。

Kokoroe wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with knowledge and experience.

It is important to act with knowledge.

• 心得 - knowledge, understanding
• を - direct object particle
• 持って - verb "to have, to own" in the gerund
• 行動 - action, behavior
• する - Verb "to do" in the present
• こと - abstract noun, in this case, "the fact of"
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb "to be" in the present, formal

必需品は旅行に行くときに必要です。

Hitsuyouhin wa ryokou ni iku toki ni hitsuyou desu

Essential items are needed when traveling.

Necessary items are needed when traveling.

• 必需品 - means "essential items" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 旅行 - means "journey" in Japanese
• に - destination particle in Japanese
• 行く - means "to go" in Japanese
• ときに - means "when" in Japanese
• 必要 - means "necessary" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

急行列車が駅に到着しました。

Kyūkō ressha ga eki ni tōchaku shimashita

The express train arrived at the station.

• 急行列車 - Express train
• が - subject particle
• 駅 - Season
• に - place particle
• 到着 - Arrival
• しました - verb "arrive" in the polite past

愚かな行動をすると後悔することになる。

Guka na koudou wo suru to koukai suru koto ni naru

If you act foolishly

If you act foolishly, you will regret it.

• 愚かな - fool, stupid
• 行動 - action, behavior
• をする - make
• と - I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that.
• 後悔する - to regret
• ことになる - end up becoming

慎重に行動することが大切です。

Shinchou ni koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with caution.

It is important to act carefully.

• 慎重に - with care, with caution
• 行動する - act, take action
• ことが - the fact that
• 大切です - is important

手遅れになる前に行動しなければならない。

Teokure ni naru mae ni koudou shinakereba naranai

You have to act before it's too late.

• 手遅れになる - means "too late," "irreversible."
• 前に - means "before".
• 行動 - means "action", "movement".
• しなければならない - means "must do", "has to do".

挨拶は大切な社交行為です。

Aisatsu wa taisetsu na shakou koui desu

Greetings are an important social act.

• 挨拶 (aisatsu) - greeting
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 社交 (shakou) - socialization, social interaction
• 行為 (koui) - action, behavior
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

指示を守って行動しましょう。

Shiji wo mamotte koudou shimashou

Let's follow the instructions and act.

• 指示 (shiji) - instruction, guideline
• を (wo) - object particle
• 守って (mamotte) - protect, obey
• 行動 (koudou) - action, behavior
• しましょう (shimashou) - polite way of suggesting or asking for something