====== 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).