实行

shíxíng: 实行 - To Implement, To Carry Out, To Put into Practice

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: shíxíng, 实行, how to use shixing, shixing meaning, implement in Chinese, carry out in Chinese, put into practice Chinese, Chinese verb for policy, shixing vs zuo, formal Chinese verbs, HSK 5 vocabulary.
  • 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).
    • e.g., 实行九年义务教育 (shíxíng jiǔ nián yìwù jiàoyù) - to implement nine-year compulsory education.
  • 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.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 中国从1979年开始实行改革开放政策。
    • Pinyin: Zhōngguó cóng 1979 nián kāishǐ shíxíng gǎigé kāifàng zhèngcè.
    • English: China began to implement the Reform and Opening-up policy starting in 1979.
    • Analysis: A classic historical and political example. 实行 is the perfect word for putting a national-level policy into effect.
  • Example 2:
    • 我们公司下个月将实行新的考勤制度。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī xià ge yuè jiāng shíxíng xīn de kǎoqín zhìdù.
    • English: Our company will implement a new attendance system next month.
    • Analysis: This is a common business context. The object is a “system” (制度), which is an abstract concept being made real.
  • Example 3:
    • 为了节约用电，办公楼实行晚上十点后关灯的规定。
    • Pinyin: Wèile jiéyuē yòngdiàn, bàngōnglóu shíxíng wǎnshang shí diǎn hòu guān dēng de guīdìng.
    • English: To save electricity, the office building enforces a rule of turning off the lights after 10 PM.
    • Analysis: Here, 实行 is used for a specific “rule” or “regulation” (规定). The verb emphasizes that this is an official, enforced practice.
  • Example 4:
    • 这个国家实行了严格的环境保护法。
    • Pinyin: Zhège guójiā shíxíng le yángé de huánjìng bǎohù fǎ.
    • English: This country has implemented strict environmental protection laws.
    • Analysis: 实行 is frequently paired with “law” (法). This is a very common and standard usage.
  • Example 5:
    • 学校决定从明天起实行新的作息时间表。
    • Pinyin: Xuéxiào juédìng cóng míngtiān qǐ shíxíng xīn de zuòxī shíjiānbiǎo.
    • English: The school has decided to put the new schedule into effect starting tomorrow.
    • Analysis: A “schedule” (时间表) is a type of plan or system, making 实行 the appropriate formal verb.
  • Example 6:
    • 许多发达国家实行高福利政策。
    • Pinyin: Xǔduō fādá guójiā shíxíng gāo fúlì zhèngcè.
    • English: Many developed countries practice high-welfare policies.
    • Analysis: In this context, 实行 can also mean “to practice” a certain type of system or policy as a standard.
  • Example 7:
    • 为了提高效率，我们必须实行这个新计划。
    • Pinyin: Wèile tígāo xiàolǜ, wǒmen bìxū shíxíng zhège xīn jìhuà.
    • English: To improve efficiency, we must carry out this new plan.
    • Analysis: This shows 实行 used with “plan” (计划). The word “must” (必须) reinforces the formal and serious tone.
  • Example 8:
    • 这家工厂实行“5S”管理模式。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngchǎng shíxíng “5S” guǎnlǐ móshì.
    • English: This factory implements the “5S” management model.
    • Analysis: “Management model” (管理模式) is another abstract concept that is put into practice using 实行.
  • Example 9:
    • 政府正在考虑实行全民免费医疗。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài kǎolǜ shíxíng quánmín miǎnfèi yīliáo.
    • 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).