Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== yóuxíng: 游行 - Parade, March, Demonstration ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 游行, youxing, Chinese parade, Chinese march, Chinese protest, demonstration in Chinese, what does youxing mean, how to say parade in Chinese, festive parade, protest march, political demonstration. * **Summary:** Learn the versatile Chinese word **游行 (yóuxíng)**, which means parade, march, or demonstration. This page explores its dual meaning, from joyful holiday parades with floats to serious protest marches. Discover how **游行** is used in China, its cultural significance related to social stability, and how to use it correctly in conversation, distinguishing it from a simple walk. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yóuxíng * **Part of Speech:** Noun / Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** An organized procession of people walking together in public for a shared purpose, such as a parade, march, or demonstration. * **In a Nutshell:** **游行 (yóuxíng)** is the go-to word for any event where a group of people moves along a route in public. Think of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a Pride march, or a political demonstration—all of these fall under the umbrella of **游行**. The key elements are a //group//, //organized movement//, and a //public setting//. The specific feeling—celebratory or confrontational—depends entirely on the context. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **游 (yóu):** This character means "to travel," "to roam," or "to swim." The left side, 氵, is the water radical, evoking a sense of fluid, free-flowing movement. * **行 (xíng):** This character means "to walk," "to go," or "to carry out." It pictorially represents a crossroads, symbolizing movement from one place to another. * When combined, **游行 (yóuxíng)** literally means "roaming walk." This beautifully captures the image of a procession snaking its way through city streets, moving with a collective purpose. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The concept of **游行 (yóuxíng)** in China carries a significant duality that reflects core cultural values, particularly the balance between collective celebration and social stability. **1. The Celebratory, State-Sanctioned Parade:** In China, the most prominent examples of **游行** are massive, highly-choreographed state parades, especially during National Day (国庆节). These are not just celebrations; they are powerful displays of national unity, strength, and collective pride. They feature military processions ([[阅兵]], yuèbīng) and civilian pageants, all perfectly synchronized. This type of **游行** reinforces the cultural value of collectivism and patriotism, showcasing a harmonious and powerful nation. **2. The Protest March and Social Stability:** Compared to Western countries where protests and marches are common forms of expression protected by law, unsanctioned public demonstrations (**游行示威**, yóuxíng shìwēi) are rare and politically sensitive in modern Mainland China. The government prioritizes **社会稳定 (shèhuì wěndìng)**, or "social stability," above almost all else. A public protest is often seen as a potential disruption to this harmony. Therefore, while the word **游行** is used to describe protests, its application in a mainland context is far more fraught with meaning than a typical "march" in the U.S. or Europe. News reports will frequently use **游行** to describe protests happening in other countries, but rarely within China itself. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== How you hear **游行** used depends heavily on the context. **In a Positive or Neutral Context (Common):** This is the most frequent usage in daily life. It refers to festive, cultural, or school-related events. * **节日游行 (jiérì yóuxíng):** Holiday parade * **花车游行 (huāchē yóuxíng):** Parade with floats (literally "flower car parade") * **庆祝游行 (qìngzhù yóuxíng):** Celebration parade **In a Serious or Political Context (Formal/News):** This usage typically refers to political demonstrations or protests. It is often paired with **示威 (shìwēi)**, meaning "to demonstrate (one's power/position)." * **抗议游行 (kàngyì yóuxíng):** Protest march * **游行示威 (yóuxíng shìwēi):** The full, formal term for a protest march or demonstration. * This form is what you would see in news headlines describing events in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Western countries. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我们下午去看节日**游行**吧！ * Pinyin: Wǒmen xiàwǔ qù kàn jiérì **yóuxíng** ba! * English: Let's go watch the holiday parade this afternoon! * Analysis: A simple, common, and positive use of the word. **游行** here clearly means a celebratory parade. * **Example 2:** * 成千上万的民众参加了这次**游行**。 * Pinyin: Chéng qiān shàng wàn de mínzhòng cānjiā le zhè cì **yóuxíng**. * English: Thousands upon thousands of people participated in this march/parade. * Analysis: This sentence is neutral. Without more context, it could be a massive celebration or a huge protest. The scale is emphasized by `成千上万`. * **Example 3:** * 新闻里报道了国外的一场大规模**游行示威**活动。 * Pinyin: Xīnwén li bàodào le guówài de yī chǎng dàguīmó **yóuxíng shìwēi** huódòng. * English: The news reported on a large-scale demonstration abroad. * Analysis: Here, the combination **游行示威 (yóuxíng shìwēi)** specifically means a political demonstration or protest. Note the common pattern of it being used to describe events happening `国外` (overseas). * **Example 4:** * 每年国庆节，天安门广场都有盛大的**游行**和阅兵。 * Pinyin: Měi nián Guóqìngjié, Tiān'ānmén Guǎngchǎng dōu yǒu shèngdà de **yóuxíng** hé yuèbīng. * English: Every National Day, Tiananmen Square has a grand parade and military review. * Analysis: This refers to the official, state-sanctioned parades in China. `盛大` (shèngdà) means grand or magnificent. * **Example 5:** * 学生们组织了一次和平**游行**，要求改善食堂的伙食。 * Pinyin: Xuéshēngmen zǔzhī le yī cì hépíng **yóuxíng**, yāoqiú gǎishàn shítáng de huǒshí. * English: The students organized a peaceful march, demanding an improvement in the cafeteria food. * Analysis: This shows **游行** used on a smaller, more local scale. `和平` (hépíng - peaceful) is often added to clarify the nature of the march. * **Example 6:** * 因为下大雨，明天的万圣节**游行**取消了。 * Pinyin: Yīnwèi xià dàyǔ, míngtiān de Wànshèngjié **yóuxíng** qǔxiāo le. * English: Because of the heavy rain, tomorrow's Halloween parade has been canceled. * Analysis: A very practical, everyday example related to a Western holiday celebrated in China. * **Example 7:** * 市中心的主要街道因为**游行**活动被关闭了。 * Pinyin: Shì zhōngxīn de zhǔyào jiēdào yīnwèi **yóuxíng** huódòng bèi guānbì le. * English: The main streets in the city center have been closed due to the parade/march. * Analysis: `被 (bèi)` indicates the passive voice. The streets "have been closed." This is a common announcement you might see or hear. * **Example 8:** * 他们正在为争取工人权利而**游行**。 * Pinyin: Tāmen zhèngzài wèi zhēngqǔ gōngrén quánlì ér **yóuxíng**. * English: They are marching to fight for workers' rights. * Analysis: Here, **游行** is used as a verb. The structure `为...而... (wèi...ér...)` means "in order to/for the purpose of...". * **Example 9:** * 你觉得我们应该参加反战**游行**吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ juéde wǒmen yīnggāi cānjiā fǎnzhàn **yóuxíng** ma? * English: Do you think we should join the anti-war march? * Analysis: `反战 (fǎnzhàn)` means "anti-war." This shows how a descriptor can be placed before **游行** to specify its purpose. * **Example 10:** * 迪士尼乐园的花车**游行**总是最受孩子们欢迎的。 * Pinyin: Díshìní Lèyuán de huāchē **yóuxíng** zǒngshì zuì shòu háizimen huānyíng de. * English: The float parade at Disneyland is always the most popular with children. * Analysis: This highlights the purely entertaining and commercial use of the term. `花车 (huāchē)` means float. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Don't confuse `游行 (yóuxíng)` with `散步 (sànbù)`.** * A common mistake for learners is to see `游 (roam)` and `行 (walk)` and think it means a casual stroll. * **Incorrect:** 我晚饭后去公园**游行**。 (I go for a parade in the park after dinner.) * **Correct:** 我晚饭后去公园**散步**。 (I go for a walk in the park after dinner.) * **Reason:** **游行** requires an organized group and a purpose. **散步 (sànbù)** is a leisurely, aimless walk for pleasure. * **Don't assume `游行 (yóuxíng)` is always a protest.** * English speakers might hear "march" and immediately think of a protest. In Chinese, the context is king. Without a clarifying word like `抗议 (kàngyì)` or `示威 (shìwēi)`, you shouldn't assume it's a demonstration. It's just as likely, if not more likely, to be a celebration. * **Understanding the Connotation of `游行示威 (yóuxíng shìwēi)`.** * This full phrase almost exclusively refers to political protests. Using it to describe a St. Patrick's Day parade would be strange and incorrect. It carries a heavy, serious connotation of making a demand or expressing dissent. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[示威]] (shìwēi) - To demonstrate; a protest. The action of showing power or dissent, often done through a `游行`. * [[集会]] (jíhuì) - A rally, an assembly, a gathering. People often `集会` before they begin to `游行`. * [[抗议]] (kàngyì) - To protest (verb); a protest (noun). This describes the *reason* for a protest `游行`. * [[散步]] (sànbù) - To take a walk, to stroll. A useful antonym to highlight the organized nature of `游行`. * [[阅兵]] (yuèbīng) - Military parade; to review troops. A very specific, formal, and militaristic type of `游行`. * [[国庆节]] (Guóqìngjié) - National Day. The holiday most famously associated with massive, state-organized `游行` in China. * [[花车]] (huāchē) - Parade float. A common element in celebratory parades. * [[社会稳定]] (shèhuì wěndìng) - Social stability. A core political and cultural concept in China that influences the official view on public demonstrations.