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. ====== xíngwéi: 行为 - Behavior, Action, Conduct ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 行为, xingwei, xing wei, Chinese word for behavior, Chinese for conduct, Chinese for action, 行为 meaning, what is xingwei, 行为 vs 行动, Chinese psychology terms, Chinese vocabulary, HSK 4 * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese noun **行为 (xíngwéi)**, which translates to "behavior," "conduct," or "action." This page explores its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in modern China, from describing a child's conduct to analyzing consumer behavior. Understand the key difference between **行为 (xíngwéi)** and **行动 (xíngdòng)** to use the word like a native speaker. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xíngwéi * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** 4 * **Concise Definition:** A person's, group's, or animal's actions, conduct, and manner of behaving. * **In a Nutshell:** **行为 (xíngwéi)** is the standard, slightly formal word for "behavior." It's less about a single, isolated action and more about the overall conduct or a pattern of actions. Think of it as the 'what' and 'how' of someone's actions, often viewed from an observational or analytical perspective. It's the word you'd see in a psychology textbook, a school report card, or a news article describing someone's deeds. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **行 (xíng):** This character's original form depicts a crossroads, and its core meaning is "to walk," "to go," or "to act." It implies movement and carrying something out. * **为 (wéi):** This character means "to do," "to make," "to act as," or "to become." It's about agency and creation. * When combined, **行为 (xíngwéi)** literally means "acting-doing." The two characters reinforce each other to create a noun that encompasses the entire concept of one's observable actions and overall conduct. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, which is deeply influenced by collectivist and Confucian values, an individual's **行为 (xíngwéi)** is rarely seen in isolation. It is a direct reflection of one's upbringing, character, family honor, and respect for social order. Compared to the Western concept of "behavior," which often emphasizes individual expression and psychological drivers, the Chinese understanding of **行为 (xíngwéi)** places a heavier weight on social consequences. "Good behavior" (好的行为) is often that which promotes harmony (和谐, héxié), shows respect for elders and authority, and aligns with established social norms. A child's misbehavior, for example, isn't just a personal failing but can bring shame (丢脸, diūliǎn) to their entire family. This makes the observation and judgment of **行为 (xíngwéi)** a crucial aspect of social interaction in China. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **行为 (xíngwéi)** is a versatile noun used in both formal and semi-formal contexts. * **Formal & Academic:** This is the standard term in fields like psychology (心理学), sociology (社会学), economics (经济学), and education (教育). * e.g., 消费者**行为** (xiāofèizhě **xíngwéi**) - Consumer behavior * e.g., 儿童**行为**发展 (értóng **xíngwéi** fāzhǎn) - Child behavioral development * **Legal & Official:** It's used in legal documents and news reports to refer to an "act" or "deed." * e.g., 违法**行为** (wéifǎ **xíngwéi**) - Illegal act/behavior * e.g., 欺诈**行为** (qīzhà **xíngwéi**) - Fraudulent act/conduct * **Everyday Description & Judgment:** In daily conversation, it's used to describe or pass judgment on someone's conduct, often when it's noteworthy or unusual. * e.g., 他的**行为**很奇怪。(Tā de **xíngwéi** hěn qíguài.) - His behavior is very strange. * e.g., 这是一种不负责任的**行为**。(Zhè shì yī zhǒng bù fù zérèn de **xíngwéi**.) - This is a type of irresponsible behavior. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他的英雄**行为**受到了大家的赞扬。 * Pinyin: Tā de yīngxióng **xíngwéi** shòudào le dàjiā de zànyáng. * English: His heroic behavior was praised by everyone. * Analysis: Here, **行为** refers to his deeds or conduct, which are being judged as "heroic." It encapsulates all of his heroic actions. * **Example 2:** * 我们必须对自己的**行为**负责。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū duì zìjǐ de **xíngwéi** fùzé. * English: We must be responsible for our own actions/behavior. * Analysis: This is a common phrase emphasizing personal accountability. **行为** refers to the sum of one's actions and their consequences. * **Example 3:** * 这种**行为**在公共场合是不被允许的。 * Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng **xíngwéi** zài gōnggòng chǎnghé shì bù bèi yǔnxǔ de. * English: This kind of behavior is not permitted in public places. * Analysis: **行为** is used here to label a type of conduct that violates social norms. It's a formal way of saying "you can't do that here." * **Example 4:** * 心理学家正在研究动物的**行为**模式。 * Pinyin: Xīnlǐxuéjiā zhèngzài yánjiū dòngwù de **xíngwéi** móshì. * English: The psychologist is researching animal behavior patterns. * Analysis: This shows the academic use of **行为**. It's the standard scientific term for "behavior." * **Example 5:** * 他的反常**行为**引起了警方的注意。 * Pinyin: Tā de fǎncháng **xíngwéi** yǐnqǐ le jǐngfāng de zhùyì. * English: His abnormal behavior attracted the attention of the police. * Analysis: **行为** is used to describe a pattern of conduct that deviates from the norm. * **Example 6:** * 公司的商业**行为**必须合法。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī de shāngyè **xíngwéi** bìxū héfǎ. * English: The company's business conduct must be legal. * Analysis: This example demonstrates its use in a business and legal context. **行为** here means "conduct" or "practices." * **Example 7:** * 教育的目的之一是塑造良好的**行为**习惯。 * Pinyin: Jiàoyù de mùdì zhī yī shì sùzào liánghǎo de **xíngwéi** xíguàn. * English: One of the purposes of education is to shape good behavioral habits. * Analysis: This sentence connects **行为** (behavior) with **习惯** (habits), showing how repeated behaviors form habits. * **Example 8:** * 我们不应该仅仅根据一次**行为**来判断一个人。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi jǐnjǐn gēnjù yī cì **xíngwéi** lái pànduàn yī gè rén. * English: We shouldn't judge a person based on a single act. * Analysis: Even though it mentions "a single act," **行为** is used because that act is being viewed as a piece of conduct for judgment. * **Example 9:** * 在网络上，匿名**行为**有时会导致不负责任的言论。 * Pinyin: Zài wǎngluò shàng, nìmíng **xíngwéi** yǒushí huì dǎozhì bù fù zérèn de yánlùn. * English: On the internet, anonymous behavior can sometimes lead to irresponsible comments. * Analysis: This applies the concept of **行为** to the modern context of online interactions. * **Example 10:** * 他的**行为**背后一定有更深层的原因。 * Pinyin: Tā de **xíngwéi** bèihòu yīdìng yǒu gēng shēncéng de yuányīn. * English: There must be a deeper reason behind his behavior. * Analysis: This highlights the analytical nature of the word. **行为** is the observable surface, and one can analyze the reasons behind it. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **行为 (xíngwéi)** and **行动 (xíngdòng)**. They can both be translated as "action," but they are not interchangeable. * **行为 (xíngwéi) - Behavior / Conduct:** * **Focus:** The nature, manner, or pattern of one's actions. It's more abstract and often carries a moral or social judgment. * **Usage:** Used to describe, analyze, or judge conduct. (e.g., 奇怪的**行为** - strange behavior). * **Think:** "Behavior," "Conduct," "Deed." * **行动 (xíngdòng) - Action / Operation:** * **Focus:** A specific, concrete, often planned physical act or movement. It's about getting something done. * **Usage:** Used when talking about taking action, a military operation, or a planned initiative. (e.g., 采取**行动** - take action). * **Think:** "Action," "Movement," "Operation." **Common Mistake Example:** * **Incorrect:** 我们必须采取**行为**来保护环境。 (Wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ **xíngwéi** lái bǎohù huánjìng.) * **Why it's wrong:** 采取 (cǎiqǔ) means "to adopt" or "to take (a measure)." It pairs with a concrete plan or action. **行为** is too abstract. It's like saying "we must adopt behavior." * **Correct:** 我们必须采取**行动**来保护环境。 (Wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ **xíngdòng** lái bǎohù huánjìng.) * //We must take action to protect the environment.// ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[行动]] (xíngdòng) - A concrete, specific action or operation. The physical "doing" rather than the abstract "behavior." * [[举动]] (jǔdòng) - A move, act, or gesture. Often refers to a single, observable physical movement. More specific than **行为**. * [[品行]] (pǐnxíng) - Moral conduct; character. This term has a strong focus on morality and ethics. **品行不端** (pǐnxíng bù duān) means "to be of bad character." * [[表现]] (biǎoxiàn) - Performance, manifestation. How one's abilities, attitude, or character show on the outside. Your **行为** contributes to your overall **表现**. * [[态度]] (tàidù) - Attitude. The mindset or feeling that often precedes and influences one's **行为**. * [[做法]] (zuòfǎ) - Way of doing things; method. It focuses on the 'how' something is done. * [[习惯]] (xíguàn) - Habit. A **行为** that is repeated so often it becomes automatic. * [[道德]] (dàodé) - Morals, ethics. The system of principles used to judge whether a **行为** is right or wrong.