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:

航空会社は旅行者にとって重要な存在です。

Koukuu kaisha wa ryokousha ni totte juuyou na sonzai desu

Airlines are an important presence for travelers.

The airline is important for travelers.

• 航空会社 - airline
• は - Topic particle
• 旅行者 - traveler
• にとって - for
• 重要な - important
• 存在 - existence
• です - Verb "to be"

芝居を見に行きたいです。

Shibai wo mi ni ikitai desu

I want to go see a play.

I want to go see the play.

• 芝居 (shibai) - It means "play" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 見 (mi) - verb "to see" in Japanese
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 行きたい (ikitai) - conjugated form of the verb "to go" with the suffix "tai", which means "to want" in Japanese
• です (desu) - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a formal or polite statement.

脅迫は許されない行為です。

Kyōhaku wa yurusarenai kōi desu

Coercion is an unacceptable act.

Threatening is an unacceptable act.

• 脅迫 (kyōhaku) - Threats, intimidation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 許されない (yurusarenai) - Not allowed, not acceptable
• 行為 (kōi) - behavior, action
• です (desu) - Sentence-ending particle

竿を持って川に行きました。

Sao wo motte kawa ni ikimashita

I went to the river with a fishing rod.

I went to the river with a stick.

• 竿 (さお) - fishing rod
• を - direct object particle
• 持って (もって) - loading
• 川 (かわ) - river
• に - Location particle
• 行きました (いきました) - was

私は内科に行きます。

Watashi wa naika ni ikimasu

I go to the department of internal medicine.

I go to internal medicine.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 内科 - noun that means "medical clinic"
• に - particle that indicates the destination of the action, in this case "to"
• 行きます - verb that means "to go", conjugated in the polite present

私は躊躇うことなく行動する。

Watashi wa tamerawu koto naku kōdō suru

I will act without hesitation.

I act without hesitation.

• 私 - means "I" in Japanese.
• は - is a topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I".
• 躊躇う - is a verb that means "to hesitate" or "to waver."
• こと - is a particle that indicates that the verb "hesitate" is being used as a noun.
• なく - is a particle that means "without".
• 行動する - is a verb that means "to act" or "to take action."

私は衣料を買いに行きます。

Watashi wa iryou wo kai ni ikimasu

I will buy clothes.

I will buy clothes.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 衣料 (iryō) - It means "clothes" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 買い (kai) - verb form of "to buy" in Japanese
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 行きます (ikimasu) - verb form of "to go" in Japanese

私は明日学校に行く予定です。

Watashi wa ashita gakkou ni iku yotei desu

I have plans to go to school tomorrow.

I go to school tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 明日 (ashita) - adverb meaning "tomorrow"
• 学校 (gakkou) - noun meaning "school"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the destination of the action, in this case "to school"
• 行く (iku) - verb meaning "to go"
• 予定 (yotei) - Noun that means "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

照合を行ってください。

Shōgō o okonatte kudasai

Please check.

Please combine.

• 照合 - means "verification" or "comparison".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 行って - Form of the verb "ir" in the imperative, which indicates an order or request.
• ください - Expression that means "please" or "do me the favor of".

測量を行う必要があります。

Sokuryō o okonau hitsuyō ga arimasu

It is necessary to carry out the measurement.

You need to carry out the survey.

• 測量 - measurement
• を - object particle
• 行う - accomplish
• 必要 - Necessary
• が - Subject particle
• あります - Exists