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:

釣りに行きたいです。

Tsuri ni ikitai desu

I want to go fishing.

I'd like to go fishing.

• 釣り (tsuri) - fishing
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• 行きたい (ikitai) - want to go
• です (desu) - a polite way of finishing a sentence

集団行動は力を発揮する。

Shuudan koudou wa chikara wo hakki suru

Collective behavior is powerful.

• 集団行動 - means "group action".
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "group action".
• 力 - means "strength" or "power".
• を - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "force" or "power".
• 発揮する - means "display" or "demonstrate".

集計を行っています。

Shuukei wo okonatteimasu

I am counting the count.

We are conducting aggregation.

• 集計 - means "aggregation" or "consolidation" in Japanese, and refers to a process of collecting and analyzing data to obtain useful information.
• を - it is a particle of object in Japanese, which indicates the target of the verb's action.
• 行っています - it is a verbal form in Japanese that indicates an ongoing action, in this case, "we are doing".

飛行場にはたくさんの飛行機があります。

Hikoujou ni wa takusan no hikouki ga arimasu

There are many planes at the airport.

• 飛行場 (hikoujou) - airport
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• たくさんの (takusan no) - many
• 飛行機 (hikouki) - planes
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります (arimasu) - there are

一律の処理を行います。

Ichiritsu no shori wo okonaimasu

We will carry out uniform processing.

Perform uniform processing.

• 一律の - It means "uniform" or "equal" in Japanese.
• 処理 - It means "processing" or "handling" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 行います - means "to perform" or "to execute" in Japanese.

危機感を持って行動することが大切です。

Kikikan wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with a sense of crisis.

• 危機感 - feeling of crisis or danger
• を - direct object particle
• 持って - verb 持つ (to have, hold) in the gerund
• 行動 - action, behavior
• する - verb する (to do) in the infinitive
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb です (to be, to be) in the present tense

連中は私たちと一緒に行くつもりですか？

Renchuu wa watashitachi to issho ni iku tsumori desu ka?

Are you planning to come with us?

Will they go with us?

• 連中 (renchuu) - means "they" or "them all"
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that "they" are the subject of the sentence
• 私たち (watashitachi) - means "we"
• と (to) - particle indicating a connection or company, in this case, "with"
• 一緒に (issho ni) - means "together"
• 行く (iku) - means "to go"
• つもりですか？ (tsumori desu ka?) - expression meaning "you intend" or "you intend to"

警察は違法行為を取り締まるために活動しています。

Keisatsu wa ihō kōi o torishimaru tame ni katsudō shiteimasu

The police are working to crack down on illegal activities.

The police are working to crack down on illegal activities.

• 警察 - keisatsu (police)
• は - wa (topic particle)
• 違法行為 - ihou koui (illegal activities)
• を - wo (direct object particle)
• 取り締まる - torishimaru (regulatory)
• ために - tameni (to)
• 活動しています - katsudou shiteimasu (are active)

行いは大切なことです。

Gyoui wa taisetsu na koto desu

Conduct is an important thing.

Doing is important.

• 行い (gyou i) - behavior, conduct
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - Particle indicating adjective
• こと (koto) - thing, subject
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

行政は国家の重要な役割です。

Gyōsei wa kokka no jūyōna yakuwari desu

Administration is an important role of the state.

The government plays an important role in the nation.

• 行政 (gyousei) - administration
• 国家 (kokka) - state
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• です (desu) - verb to be"