在行

zàiháng: 在行 - Expert, Skilled, Proficient

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: zaihang, zàiháng, 在行, expert in Chinese, skilled in Chinese, proficient, good at, Chinese vocabulary, what does zaihang mean, 内行, 拿手, how to say you are an expert in Chinese.
  • Summary: Learn how to use “在行” (zàiháng), a common and useful Chinese adjective that means to be an expert, skilled, or proficient in a particular field or activity. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences, helping you sound more natural when giving compliments or describing someone's deep knowledge in Mandarin Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): zàiháng
  • Part of Speech: Adjective
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To be an expert in something; to be skilled or proficient.
  • In a Nutshell: “在行” literally translates to “in the trade” or “in the line of business.” It describes someone who possesses deep, practical knowledge and skill in a specific area, much like a professional or an experienced insider. It implies an expertise that comes from experience and familiarity, not just raw talent. If someone is “在行”, they truly know what they're doing.

Character Breakdown

  • 在 (zài): A very common character meaning “at,” “in,” “on,” or “to exist.” It indicates presence or location.
  • 行 (háng): This character is a key source of meaning (and confusion!). While it can be pronounced “xíng” and mean “to walk” or “okay,” here it is pronounced “háng” and means “a trade,” “a profession,” “a line of business,” or “a row.”
  • Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “in the profession.” This paints a vivid picture: someone who is `在行` is so skilled they belong in that professional field. They are an “insider” (内行 - nèiháng) as opposed to an “outsider” or amateur (外行 - wàiháng).

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, there is a high degree of respect for practical skill and earned expertise. The term `在行` taps directly into this value. Calling someone `在行` is a genuine compliment that acknowledges their hard work, experience, and deep understanding. It's a way of showing respect for their mastery.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: A close English equivalent might be “to know one's stuff” or “to be in one's element.” However, `在行` carries a stronger professional connotation due to its etymology. While you can be “good at” something as a hobby, `在行` elevates that skill to a near-professional level. It's less about a natural gift and more about being a seasoned, knowledgeable practitioner. It's the difference between being a good home cook and someone who is `在行` at French cuisine, implying they understand the techniques, ingredients, and principles like a chef.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • `在行` is commonly used in everyday conversation to praise someone. It's positive and respectful.
  • Common Structure: It is almost always used in the structure: `Subject + 对 + [Field/Topic] + (很/真/非常) + 在行`.
    • For example: `他对修电脑很在行。` (Tā duì xiū diànnǎo hěn zàiháng.) - “He's an expert at fixing computers.”
  • In Questions: You can use it to ask about someone's expertise.
    • For example: `你对投资理财在行吗？` (Nǐ duì tóuzī lǐcái zàiháng ma?) - “Are you knowledgeable about investing and financial management?”
  • Negative Form: To say you are *not* an expert, you typically use `不(太)在行`.
    • For example: `我对这个不太在行。` (Wǒ duì zhège bú tài zàiháng.) - “I'm not much of an expert in this.” This is also a common way to be humble.
  • Formality: The term is neutral and can be used in both informal chats with friends and more formal discussions in the workplace.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 他对做中国菜特别在行，每次都让我们大吃一惊。
    • Pinyin: Tā duì zuò Zhōngguó cài tèbié zàiháng, měi cì dōu ràng wǒmen dà chī yì jīng.
    • English: He is especially expert at making Chinese food; he wows us every single time.
    • Analysis: A straightforward compliment about a specific skill (cooking). `特别 (tèbié)` intensifies the adjective.
  • Example 2:
    • 在法律问题上，你最好去问李律师，她才是真正的在行人。
    • Pinyin: Zài fǎlǜ wèntí shàng, nǐ zuìhǎo qù wèn Lǐ lǜshī, tā cái shì zhēnzhèng de zàiháng rén.
    • English: Regarding legal issues, you'd better go ask Lawyer Li; she's the real expert.
    • Analysis: Here, `在行` is used with `人 (rén)` to form a noun, `在行人` (expert person), though this is less common than using it as a standalone adjective.
  • Example 3:
    • 我对修理汽车一窍不通，完全不在行。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ duì xiūlǐ qìchē yíqiàobùtōng, wánquán bù zàiháng.
    • English: I don't know the first thing about fixing cars; I'm a complete amateur.
    • Analysis: This sentence uses the negative form `不在行` and reinforces it with the idiom `一窍不通 (yíqiàobùtōng)`, which means “to be completely ignorant of.”
  • Example 4:
    • 别看他年纪小，他在编程方面可在行了。
    • Pinyin: Bié kàn tā niánjì xiǎo, tā zài biānchéng fāngmiàn kě zàiháng le.
    • English: Don't be fooled by his young age; he is truly an expert when it comes to programming.
    • Analysis: `可…了 (kě…le)` is a common structure used to add emphasis, similar to saying “truly” or “really.”
  • Example 5:
    • 在市场分析这方面，我们公司谁最在行？
    • Pinyin: Zài shìchǎng fēnxī zhè fāngmiàn, wǒmen gōngsī shéi zuì zàiháng?
    • English: In terms of market analysis, who is the biggest expert in our company?
    • Analysis: A perfect example of how `在行` is used in a business context to identify the most competent person for a task.
  • Example 6:
    • 我对园艺不怎么在行，种的花总是活不长。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ duì yuányì bù zěnme zàiháng, zhòng de huā zǒngshì huó bù cháng.
    • English: I'm not very skilled at gardening; the flowers I plant never live long.
    • Analysis: `不怎么 (bù zěnme)` is a softer way of saying “not very,” making the self-criticism less harsh.
  • Example 7:
    • 说到品茶，我可差远了，我父亲才是在行的。
    • Pinyin: Shuōdào pǐn chá, wǒ kě chà yuǎn le, wǒ fùqīn cái shì zàiháng de.
    • English: When it comes to tea tasting, I'm far from an expert; my father is the one who really knows his stuff.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates cultural humility. The speaker downplays their own ability while praising someone else (in this case, an elder).
  • Example 8:
    • 你想买相机？去问问小张吧，他对这个很在行。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng mǎi xiàngjī? Qù wènwen Xiǎo Zhāng ba, tā duì zhège hěn zàiháng.
    • English: You want to buy a camera? Go ask Xiao Zhang; he's an expert on this.
    • Analysis: A classic example of referring someone to an expert. `这个 (zhège)` is used as a pronoun for the topic at hand (cameras).
  • Example 9:
    • 他虽然是个新手，但在跟客户沟通方面，他表现得像个在行的老手。
    • Pinyin: Tā suīrán shì ge xīnshǒu, dàn zài gēn kèhù gōutōng fāngmiàn, tā biǎoxiàn de xiàng ge zàiháng de lǎoshǒu.
    • English: Although he's a novice, he acts like a seasoned expert when it comes to communicating with clients.
    • Analysis: This sentence contrasts being a `新手 (xīnshǒu - novice)` with acting like a `在行` person, highlighting the perceived level of skill.
  • Example 10:
    • 我在这方面不太在行，恐怕给不了你什么好建议。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ zài zhè fāngmiàn bú tài zàiháng, kǒngpà gěi bùliǎo nǐ shénme hǎo jiànyì.
    • English: I'm not very knowledgeable in this area, I'm afraid I can't give you any good advice.
    • Analysis: A polite and humble way to decline giving advice on a topic you're not comfortable with.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Pronunciation is Key: The most common mistake is mispronouncing 行. In `在行`, it is háng (2nd tone), not xíng (2nd tone). `在行 (zàiháng)` means expert. `zàixíng` is not a word.
  • `在行` vs. “Good at”: While `在行` can be translated as “good at,” it implies a deeper, more specialized knowledge. You can be “good at” basketball (`打篮球打得很好`), but you are `在行` in basketball strategy (`对篮球战术很在行`). Use `在行` for fields of knowledge, complex skills, or professions.
  • Incorrect Usage:
    • `他游泳很在行。` (Tā yóuyǒng hěn zàiháng.)
    • Why it's awkward: While not grammatically wrong, it sounds unnatural. For simple physical actions, it's better to use `很会 (hěn huì)`, `很厉害 (hěn lìhai)`, or verb-doubling like `游泳游得很好 (yóuyǒng yóu de hěn hǎo)`. `在行` would be more appropriate for the *science* of swimming, e.g., `他对游泳教学很在行` (He's an expert at teaching swimming).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • `内行 (nèiháng)` - A synonym meaning “insider” or “expert.” Someone who is `在行` is also an `内行`.
  • `外行 (wàiháng)` - The direct antonym, meaning “layman,” “amateur,” or “outsider.”
  • `专家 (zhuānjiā)` - A noun for “expert” or “specialist.” If someone `对 (duì) [topic] 很在行 (hěn zàiháng)`, then `他是一个专家 (tā shì yí ge zhuānjiā)`.
  • `厉害 (lìhai)` - A more general and informal adjective for “awesome,” “fierce,” or “capable.” It can describe skills, people, or even situations. `在行` is specifically about expertise in a field.
  • `拿手 (náshǒu)` - An adjective meaning “to be adept at” or “to be good at.” It often refers to a particular, signature skill. For example, a `拿手菜 (náshǒu cài)` is a chef's signature dish. `在行` is usually broader.
  • `擅长 (shàncháng)` - A more formal verb meaning “to be good at.” Commonly used in written Chinese, such as in a resume (`我擅长团队合作` - I am good at teamwork).
  • `精通 (jīngtōng)` - A formal verb meaning “to have mastered” or “to be proficient in.” It implies a high level of mastery through diligent study, often used for languages (`精通英语`) or complex academic subjects.