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:

真っ先に行く。

Makkusen ni iku

I'm going ahead.

Go first.

• 真っ先に - adverb that means "first" or "in front"
• 行く - verb meaning "to go"

祭りに行きたいです。

Matsuri ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the festival.

I want to go to the festival.

• 祭り - festival
• に - partícula que indica o alvo de uma ação
• 行き - Go
• たい - querer
• です - copula polida

神聖な場所に行きたいです。

Kamisē na basho ni ikitai desu

I want to go to a holy place.

• 神聖な - adjective meaning "sacred"
• 場所 - Noun that means "place"
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• 行きたい - verb in the desejative form meaning "to want to go"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence

私の銀行口座の残高は少ないです。

Watashi no ginkou kouza no zandaka wa sukunai desu

My bank account balance is low.

My bank account balance is small.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or relationship between two things.
• 銀行 (ginkou) - Noun that means "bank" in Japanese.
• 口座 (kouza) - Noun that means "account" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or relationship between two things.
• 残高 (zandaka) - Noun that means "balance" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "balance".
• 少ない (sukunai) - Adjective meaning "little" or "low" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or respectful way of speaking in Japanese.

私は眼科に行く必要があります。

Watashi wa ganka ni iku hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to go to the ophthalmologist.

I need to go to ophthalmology.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 眼科 (ganka) - noun that means "ophthalmology"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates destination or location, in this case, "to" or "in"
• 行く (iku) - verb meaning "to go"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means "to have," in the sense of "to need"

私は友達を連れて行きます。

Watashi wa tomodachi o tsurete ikimasu

I will take my friend together.

I take my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 連れて行きます (tsurete ikimasu) - verb meaning "to take along" or "to accompany", conjugated in the present/future polite tense

私は神社に行きたいです。

Watashi wa jinja ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the sanctuary.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 神社 (jinja) - Shinto shrine
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination or location of an action, in this case "to"
• 行きたい (ikitai) - Verb in the form of desire that means "want to go"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は毎日散歩に行きます。

Watashi wa mainichi sanpo ni ikimasu

I will walk every day.

I will walk every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 散歩 (sanpo) - noun that means "walk"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the purpose or objective of the action, in this case "go to"
• 行きます (ikimasu) - verb meaning "to go"

私は銀行に行きます。

Watashi wa ginkou ni ikimasu

I go to the bank.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 銀行 (ginkou) - noun that means "bank"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target of the action, in this case "to"
• 行きます (ikimasu) - verb meaning "to go"

私は今夜映画を見に行きます。

Watashi wa kon'ya eiga o mi ni ikimasu

I'm going to watch a movie tonight.

I will watch a movie tonight.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 今夜 (kon'ya) - adverb meaning "tonight"
• 映画 (eiga) - noun meaning "film"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "movie"
• 見に行きます (mi ni ikimasu) - a phrase that means "to go to watch", in this case, "I am going to watch the movie"