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运行 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
运行yùnxíngto be in motionHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
运行yùnxíngto moveHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
运行yùnxíng(of a computer) to runHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
运行yùnxíngto move along one's course (of celestial bodies etc)HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
运行yùnxíng(fig.) to functionHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
运行yùnxíngto be in operationHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
运行yùnxíng(of a train service etc) to operateHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
运行yùnxíngto runHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5460, Hard
yùnxíng(yun4xing2)yun xing T4
  1. 1to be in motion
  2. 2to move
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March 24, 2026

运行(運行)yùnxíng(yun4xing2)

运行 (yùn xíng) means to be in motion or to operate, often referring to both physical movement and the operation of systems, such as computers or transportation services. It is commonly used in contexts involving mechanics, technology, and celestial movements, indicating that something is functioning or running as intended.

Strokes13Frequency#5460DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 运行 is not only relevant in technology but also in traditional beliefs about celestial bodies and their movements, reflecting a deep connection to astronomy and timekeeping.

Memory tip

Think of 运行 as 'run' in English, where '运' (yùn) can be associated with 'transport' (imagine a vehicle moving), and '行' (xíng) means 'to walk' or 'to travel'. Visualize a train running on its tracks—this helps connect the idea of movement and operation.

Meanings of 运行

yùnxíng(yun4xing2)
1to be in motion
2to move
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 运行

运行Simplified
運行Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5460Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 运行

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Podcast: 运行

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AI study notes for 运行

Quick Contrast

运行 (yùn xíng) vs 操作 (cāozuò) — use 运行 when referring to systems in motion or operation, whereas 操作 emphasizes the act of manipulating or controlling something.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 运行 with similar verbs that pertain to specific types of movement, such as 行走 (xíng zǒu) which refers specifically to walking. This term is more formal and often used in technical contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler verbs like '走' (zǒu) might suffice.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 运行 connects well with other technical and operational vocabulary, such as 操作 (cāo zuò, to operate) and 运行速度 (yùn xíng sù dù, running speed). Students should focus on its application in both everyday and technical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 运行 with 行 (xíng) alone, using it incorrectly in sentences like '我在运行去商店' (Wǒ zài yùn xíng qù shāng diàn) instead of '我在去商店' (Wǒ zài qù shāng diàn). Remember, 运行 implies operation rather than just going somewhere.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 运行

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Component characters

运yùnto move
HSK 57 strokes辶
View full entry
行xíngto walk
HSK 36 strokes行
View full entry

How to say to be in motion in Chinese

“to be in motion” in Chinese is运行yùnxíng

运行 (yùn xíng) means to be in motion or to operate, often referring to both physical movement and the operation of systems, such as computers or transportation services. It is commonly used in contexts involving mechanics, technology, and celestial movements, indicating that something is functioning or running as intended.

When to use 运行

Be careful not to confuse 运行 with similar verbs that pertain to specific types of movement, such as 行走 (xíng zǒu) which refers specifically to walking. This term is more formal and often used in technical contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler verbs like '走' (zǒu) might suffice.

运行 or something close to it

运行 (yùn xíng) vs 操作 (cāozuò) — use 运行 when referring to systems in motion or operation, whereas 操作 emphasizes the act of manipulating or controlling something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 运行 with 行 (xíng) alone, using it incorrectly in sentences like '我在运行去商店' (Wǒ zài yùn xíng qù shāng diàn) instead of '我在去商店' (Wǒ zài qù shāng diàn). Remember, 运行 implies operation rather than just going somewhere.

Write 运行

运
行

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Grammar patterns of 运行

运行 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 8 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这趟夜班火车除了周六外每个晚上都____。

The overnight train runs every night of the week except Saturdays.

Example sentences for 运行 (9)

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1
这趟夜班火车除了周六外每个晚上都运行。

zhè tàng yèbān huǒchē chúle zhōu liù wài měi gè wǎnshang dōu yùnxíng。

The overnight train runs every night of the week except Saturdays.
2
该设备几个月之前曾投入运行。

gāi shèbèi jǐ gè yuè zhīqián céng tóurù yùnxíng。

The device had been used operationally some months previously.
3
这颗行星可能正环绕着一颗小恒星运行。

zhè kē xíngxīng kěnéng zhèng huánrào zhe yī kē xiǎo héngxīng yùnxíng。

The planet is probably in orbit around a small star.
4
活细胞中所有复杂的运行成分都由蛋白质分子构成。

huó xìbāo zhōng suǒyǒu fùzá de yùnxíng chéngfèn dōu yóu dànbáizhì fēn zi gòuchéng。

Protein molecules compose all the complex working parts of living cells.
5
成功有保证了,至少该系统一开始运行得挺顺利。

chénggōng yǒu bǎozhèng le, zhìshǎo gāi xìtǒng yī kāishǐ yùnxíng de tǐng shùnlì。

Success was assured and, at least to start with, the system operated smoothly.
6
这批机器运行不准.

zhè pī jīqì yùnxíng bùzhǔn.

The workings of these machines are inaccurate.
7
多趟列车被取消,其他线路上运行的班次也很有限。

duō tàng lièchē bèi qǔxiāo, qítā xiànlù shàng yùnxíng de bān cì yě hěn yǒuxiàn。

Many trains have been cancelled and a limited service is operating on other lines.
8
它跟随史泼尼克2号绕地球运行了7天.

tā gēnsuí Shǐ pō ní kè2 hào rào dìqiú yùnxíng le7 tiān.

Laika orbited Earth for seven days.
9
那颗人造卫星每48小时绕地球轨道运行一周.

nà kē rénzào wèixīng měi48 xiǎoshí rào dìqiú guǐdào yùnxíng yī zhōu.

The man - made satellite orbits the earth every 48 hours.

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Frequently asked questions about 运行

Not exactly; while it generally refers to operation or functioning, it's more suited for mechanical or technical contexts rather than casual physical movements.

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