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行动 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
行动
xíngdòng
operation
HSK 5, vn, 12 strokes, rank #526, Hard
行动
xíngdòng
action
HSK 5, vn, 12 strokes, rank #526, Hard
行动
xíngdòng
to move
HSK 5, vn, 12 strokes, rank #526, Hard
行动
xíngdòng
mobile
HSK 5, vn, 12 strokes, rank #526, Hard
xíngdòng(xing2dong4)xing dong T2
1operation
2action
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March 24, 2026
行动(行動)xíngdòng(xing2dong4)
行动 (xíngdòng) refers to the act of moving or taking action. It is commonly used in contexts related to operations, movements, and activities, emphasizing the process of doing something rather than just the intention. This term can encompass both physical actions and metaphorical ones, such as taking steps towards a goal.
Strokes12Frequency#526DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of action is often linked to the idea of 'doing' versus 'thinking.' There is a strong emphasis on taking initiative and being proactive, as seen in sayings like '行动胜于言辞' (action speaks louder than words).
Memory tip
Imagine a person named 'Xing' who is always 'moving' (dong) around, taking action in every situation. The character 行 (xíng) looks like two legs in motion, while 动 (dòng) resembles waves or movement. Picture Xing energetically moving forward, embodying the essence of action.
Meanings of 行动
xíngdòng(xing2dong4)
1operation
2action
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 行动
行动Simplified
行動Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#526Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 行动
Podcast: 行动
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AI study notes for 行动
Quick Contrast
行动 (xíngdòng) vs 运动 (yùndòng): choose 行动 when referring to taking action or operations, while 运动 focuses on physical exercise or sports.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 行动 with 进行 (jìnxíng), which means to carry out a plan rather than just moving. The term is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often seen in discussions about initiatives or personal development. Common collocations include '采取行动' (to take action) and '积极行动' (to act actively).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 行动 connects to other words related to movement and activity, such as 运动 (yùndòng, sports/exercise) and 行 (xíng, to walk). Students should focus on understanding its usage in both everyday language and formal contexts, as well as practicing collocations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 行动 with other similar terms like 走动 (zǒudòng), which specifically means to walk around. An incorrect usage might be '我喜欢走动的计划' (I like walking plans), which should be '我喜欢行动的计划' (I like action plans).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 行动
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行动 (xíngdòng) refers to the act of moving or taking action. It is commonly used in contexts related to operations, movements, and activities, emphasizing the process of doing something rather than just the intention. This term can encompass both physical actions and metaphorical ones, such as taking steps towards a goal.
When to use 行动
Be careful not to confuse 行动 with 进行 (jìnxíng), which means to carry out a plan rather than just moving. The term is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often seen in discussions about initiatives or personal development. Common collocations include '采取行动' (to take action) and '积极行动' (to act actively).
行动 or something close to it
行动 (xíngdòng) vs 运动 (yùndòng): choose 行动 when referring to taking action or operations, while 运动 focuses on physical exercise or sports.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 行动 with other similar terms like 走动 (zǒudòng), which specifically means to walk around. An incorrect usage might be '我喜欢走动的计划' (I like walking plans), which should be '我喜欢行动的计划' (I like action plans).
Write 行动
行
动
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Grammar patterns of 行动
行动 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
能救一个是一个，大家快____！
Save every person we can — let's act fast!
Example sentences for 行动 (10)
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1
目前，30%的爬行动物、鸟类和鱼类面临灭绝的危险。
mùqián，30% de pá xíngdòng wù、 niǎo lèi hé yú lèi miànlín mièjué de wēixiǎn。
30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction.
2
现在人们开始意识到必须采取断然的行动。
xiànzài rénmen kāishǐ yìshí dào bìxū cǎiqǔ duànrán de xíngdòng。
Now there is a dawning realisation that drastic action is necessary.
3
你的决定必须转化为具体明确的行动。
nǐ de juédìng bìxū zhuǎnhuà wèi jùtǐ míngquè de xíngdòng。
Your decision must be translated into specific, concrete actions.
4
如果遭到了性骚扰，你应该采取行动。
rúguǒ zāodào le xìng sāorǎo， nǐ yīnggāi cǎiqǔ xíngdòng。
If you're sexually harassed, you ought to do something about it.
5
我们需要的不是善意但难以实现的宣言，而是实际行动。
wǒmen xūyào de bùshì shànyì dàn nányǐ shíxiàn de xuānyán， érshì shíjì xíngdòng。
What we need is not manifestos of pious intentions, but real action.
6
她的行动和思想变得扭曲了，她的态度也是。
tā de xíngdòng hé sīxiǎng biàn de niǔqū le， tā de tàidù yě shì。
Her actions and thoughts became distorted. So did her behavior.
7
这次我们确实可以采取行动了。
zhè cì wǒmen quèshí kěyǐ cǎiqǔ xíngdòng le。
By golly we can do something about it this time.
8
不赶紧行动就没机会了。
bù gǎnjǐn xíngdòng jiù méi jīhuì le。
If you don't do it soon you're going to lose the opportunity.
9
一位发言人称这一坚决的行动缓和了极为棘手的局面。
yī wèi fāyánrén chèn zhè yī jiānjué de xíngdòng huǎnhé le jíwéi jíshǒu de júmiàn。
A spokesman said this firm action had defused a very nasty situation.
10
即便是作为一次人道主义行动，它也不过是取得了有限的成功。
jíbiàn shì zuòwéi yī cì réndào zhǔyì xíngdòng， tā yě búguò shì qǔdé le yǒuxiàn de chénggōng。
Even as a humanitarian mission it has been only a qualified success.
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Frequently asked questions about 行动
行动 emphasizes the act of moving or taking action, while 进行 focuses more on the process of carrying out a plan or activity.
Yes, 行动 is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but it's essential to use it in the right collocations.
Break it down: 'xing' sounds like 'sing' but with an 'x', and 'dong' sounds like 'dong' in English, which can help you recall the action-oriented meaning.
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