shíxíng: 实行 - To Implement, To Carry Out, To Put into Practice
Quick Summary
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Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 实行 (shíxíng), a formal Chinese verb used to say “to implement,” “to carry out,” or “to put into practice.” This guide explains how 实行 is used for putting abstract concepts like plans, policies, and systems into concrete action, especially in official, business, or governmental contexts. Understand the difference between 实行 and simpler verbs like 做 (zuò) to elevate your formal Chinese.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): shíxíng
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To implement, carry out, or put a plan, policy, or system into practice.
In a Nutshell:实行 (shíxíng) is the action of turning an idea on paper into a reality in the world. Think of it as flipping the “on” switch for a new rule, law, or company-wide strategy. It's a formal, deliberate verb that signifies the start of a new, organized way of doing things. It's not for simple, everyday tasks but for large-scale, systematic actions.
Character Breakdown
实 (shí): This character means “real,” “solid,” “actual,” or “fact.” It brings the sense of making something concrete and tangible.
行 (xíng): This character means “to go,” “to walk,” “to act,” or “to carry out.” It contributes the element of action and forward movement.
When combined, 实行 (shíxíng) literally translates to “real action” or “to make something real through action.” This perfectly captures the essence of taking an abstract policy (the idea) and making it a concrete practice (the reality).
Cultural Context and Significance
实行 is a cornerstone of official and organizational language in China. Its frequent use in government announcements, news reports, and corporate memos reflects a culture that values structured, top-down implementation of plans and policies. It signifies order, authority, and collective action.
Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, “to implement” can be used somewhat casually (e.g., “I'm going to implement a new morning routine”). In Chinese, using 实行 for a personal routine would sound overly formal and a bit strange. 实行 is more closely aligned with the formal “enact,” “enforce,” or “put into effect.” This highlights a cultural tendency to reserve such formal language for collective or official endeavors, rather than individual ones. The term underscores the importance of a clear plan being executed systematically, a key concept in both traditional Chinese bureaucracy and modern governance.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formality: Highly formal. It is almost exclusively used in written language or formal speech (e.g., meetings, presentations, news broadcasts). In casual conversation, you would use simpler words like 做 (zuò), 用 (yòng), or 开始 (kāishǐ).
Government & Law: This is the most common context. A country 实行 a new law (法律, fǎlǜ), policy (政策, zhèngcè), or system (制度, zhìdù).
Business & Management: A company will 实行 a new management style (管理方式, guǎnlǐ fāngshì), a strategic plan (战略计划, zhànlüè jìhuà), or a new set of regulations (新规定, xīn guīdìng).
e.g., 实行弹性工作制 (shíxíng tánxìng gōngzuòzhì) - to implement a flexible work system.
English: The government is considering implementing universal free healthcare.
Analysis: Shows how 实行 is used when discussing future large-scale social programs.
Example 10:
他决定从新年开始实行严格的健身计划。
Pinyin: Tā juédìng cóng xīnnián kāishǐ shíxíng yángé de jiànshēn jìhuà.
English: He decided to implement a strict fitness plan starting from the New Year.
Analysis: This is a rare case of personal use. It sounds extremely formal and disciplined, as if he's treating his own fitness plan with the seriousness of a corporate strategy. It implies a high level of commitment.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`实行` vs. `做 (zuò)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners. 实行 is for abstract systems; 做 (zuò) is for concrete tasks. You `做` your homework, you don't `实行` it.
Incorrect: 我需要实行我的中文作业。(Wǒ xūyào shíxíng wǒ de Zhōngwén zuòyè.)
Correct: 我需要做我的中文作业。(Wǒ xūyào zuò wǒ de Zhōngwén zuòyè.) - I need to do my Chinese homework.
Correct: 学校将实行新的作业政策。(Xuéxiào jiāng shíxíng xīn de zuòyè zhèngcè.) - The school will implement a new homework policy.
Object is Required:实行 must be followed by an object, which is typically an abstract noun like `政策 (policy)`, `计划 (plan)`, `制度 (system)`, `法律 (law)`, or `措施 (measure)`. It cannot be used alone to mean “to take action.”
Overuse in Casual Speech: Avoid using 实行 when talking about simple, everyday actions. Using it to say you're “implementing a plan to clean your room” would sound comical to a native speaker. Stick to formal, large-scale contexts.
Related Terms and Concepts
实施 (shíshī) - A very close synonym, also meaning “to implement.” Often interchangeable with 实行 in formal writing, but 实施 can sometimes focus more on the concrete process and steps of implementation.
执行 (zhíxíng) - To execute or carry out. This term emphasizes following orders or a pre-defined procedure. A soldier 执行 an order; a computer 执行 a program. It's about compliance.
推行 (tuīxíng) - To promote or push forward (a policy, an idea). This focuses on the act of popularizing and spreading an idea or system so it can be adopted.
落实 (luòshí) - To implement, to make sure something is carried out properly down to the details. It has a strong feeling of “making it real” and ensuring concrete results.
采取 (cǎiqǔ) - To adopt or take (a measure, a policy). 采取 is the decision step before implementation. First, you 采取 a measure, then you 实行 it.
政策 (zhèngcè) - Policy. One of the most common objects for the verb 实行.
制度 (zhìdù) - System. Another very common object for 实行.
计划 (jìhuà) - Plan. You first make a plan (制定计划), then you implement the plan (实行计划).