xíng bù xíng: 行不行 - Is it okay?, Will this work?, Can we?

• Keywords: xing bu xing, 行不行, Chinese question, A-not-A grammar, ask for permission Chinese, will this work Chinese, how to say okay in Chinese, Chinese for beginners, spoken Chinese
• Summary: “行不行” (xíng bù xíng) is one of the most common and practical phrases in Mandarin Chinese. Using the “A-not-A” question format, it literally means “okay-not-okay?” and is used to ask for permission, agreement, or feasibility. Whether you're making plans with friends, asking your boss if a solution is acceptable, or checking if an action is allowed, “行不行” is the go-to phrase to ask, “Is this okay?”, “Will this work?”, or “Can we do this?”.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xíng bù xíng
• Part of Speech: Interrogative Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A direct question used to ask if something is acceptable, permissible, or feasible.
• In a Nutshell: Think of “行不行” as the swiss-army knife of seeking agreement in Chinese. It's a simple, direct question that tacks onto the end of a proposal to see if everyone is on board. It replaces the need for English softeners like “Do you think we could…?” or “Would it be alright if…?” with a straightforward check: “Will this work, yes or no?”.

• 行 (xíng): This character's original meaning relates to walking or a journey. Over time, its meaning expanded to include “to be able to,” “to be capable,” and most relevantly here, “to be okay,” “to work,” or “to be acceptable.”
• 不 (bù): This is the primary character for negation in Chinese, meaning “no” or “not.”
• 行 (xíng): The first character is repeated to form the question structure.

The phrase “行不行” is a perfect example of the “Verb-不-Verb” (or “Adjective-不-Adjective”) question structure in Mandarin. Instead of adding a question particle like `吗 (ma)` to the end of a statement, you present both the positive and negative options: “Okay? Not okay?”. This forms a yes/no question.

While “行不行” is a simple phrase, its frequent use highlights a practical and consensus-oriented aspect of daily Chinese communication. In many Western cultures, especially in professional or formal settings, requests are often phrased indirectly to be polite (e.g., “I was wondering if it might be possible to…”). In contrast, “行不行” is very direct. This directness is not typically seen as rude in most everyday contexts; rather, it's efficient. It's a tool for quickly confirming feasibility and getting alignment before moving forward. It cuts through ambiguity and gets a clear “yes” (行) or “no” (不行). This reflects a pragmatic approach to communication where clarity and group consensus on a course of action are highly valued. By asking “行不行?”, a speaker is explicitly inviting others to voice their approval or concerns, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

“行不行” is ubiquitous in spoken, informal Chinese. You'll hear it constantly in conversations among friends, family, and even in casual business settings.

• Making Plans: It's the standard way to propose an activity and check for agreement. “我们明天去看电影，行不行?” (Wǒmen míngtiān qù kàn diànyǐng, xíng bù xíng?) - “Let's go to the movies tomorrow, sound good?”
• Asking for Permission: Children use it with parents, and employees might use it with a manager for a small request. “我玩一会儿游戏，行不行?” (Wǒ wán yīhuǐ'r yóuxì, xíng bù xíng?) - “Can I play games for a little while, is that okay?”
• Checking Feasibility: When proposing a solution to a problem. “我们用这个方法解决，行不行?” (Wǒmen yòng zhège fāngfǎ jiějué, xíng bù xíng?) - “Let's use this method to solve it, will that work?”
• Negotiating: In markets, you might hear a buyer make an offer and follow it with a firm “行不行?”. “一百块，行不行?” (Yībǎi kuài, xíng bù xíng?) - “100 RMB, take it or leave it?”

Its tone can range from a genuinely inquisitive and friendly question to a more impatient or demanding one, depending entirely on the context and tone of voice.

• Example 1:
  • 我们星期五见面，行不行？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xīngqīwǔ jiànmiàn, xíng bù xíng?
  • English: Let's meet on Friday, is that okay?
  • Analysis: A very common and neutral way to schedule something with a friend. It invites a simple “行” (okay) or “不行” (not okay) in response.
• Example 2:
  • 你帮我一下，行不行？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bāng wǒ yīxià, xíng bù xíng?
  • English: Can you give me a hand? / Help me out, okay?
  • Analysis: A direct but common way to ask for a small favor. The tone of voice determines if it's a polite request or a bit demanding.
• Example 3:
  • 妈妈，我再吃一个冰淇淋，行不行？
  • Pinyin: Māma, wǒ zài chī yīgè bīngqílín, xíng bù xíng?
  • English: Mom, can I have one more ice cream, please?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how “行不行” is used to ask for permission, especially by children. It's a direct appeal.
• Example 4:
  • 这个价格太贵了。便宜一点，行不行？
  • Pinyin: Zhège jiàgé tài guì le. Piányí yīdiǎn, xíng bù xíng?
  • English: This price is too expensive. Can you make it a bit cheaper?
  • Analysis: Used frequently in bargaining. Here, it functions as a firm but standard negotiating tactic.
• Example 5:
  • A: 我把会议改到下午三点。 (Wǒ bǎ huìyì gǎi dào xiàwǔ sān diǎn.)
  • B: 行不行啊？我三点有别的事。 (Xíng bù xíng a? Wǒ sān diǎn yǒu bié de shì.)
  • English: A: I moved the meeting to 3 PM. B: Will that even work? I have something else at 3.
  • Analysis: Here, B uses “行不行” to express doubt or disagreement with A's unilateral decision. The `啊 (a)` particle adds a bit of emotion.
• Example 6:
  • 你到底行不行？不行就换人！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dàodǐ xíng bù xíng? Bùxíng jiù huàn rén!
  • English: Can you do it or not? If not, we'll get someone else!
  • Analysis: This is an example of “行不行” used in an impatient and confrontational way. “到底 (dàodǐ)” means “on earth” or “in the end,” adding to the pressure. It questions someone's capability.
• Example 7:
  • 这样安排行不行？如果不行，我们再商量。
  • Pinyin: Zhèyàng ānpái xíng bù xíng? Rúguǒ bùxíng, wǒmen zài shāngliang.
  • English: Does this arrangement work? If not, we can discuss it further.
  • Analysis: A great example from a collaborative, professional context. It's a direct question that explicitly opens the door for feedback.
• Example 8:
  • 就这么定了，行不行？
  • Pinyin: Jiù zhème dìng le, xíng bù xíng?
  • English: So it's settled, alright?
  • Analysis: Used to confirm a final decision and get one last sign-off from the group. It's seeking confirmation rather than permission.
• Example 9:
  • 我穿这件衣服去面试，行不行？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ chuān zhè jiàn yīfú qù miànshì, xíng bù xíng?
  • English: Is it okay if I wear this outfit to the interview?
  • Analysis: Seeking an opinion on appropriateness. It's asking for judgment on whether something “works” in a specific context.
• Example 10:
  • A: 我想了一个新计划。 (Wǒ xiǎng le yīgè xīn jìhuà.)
  • B: 说来听听，看行不行。 (Shuō lái tīng tīng, kàn xíng bù xíng.)
  • English: A: I thought of a new plan. B: Tell me about it, let's see if it'll work.
  • Analysis: Here, “行不行” is part of a larger clause “看行不行” (kàn xíng bù xíng), which means “to see if it will work.” This is a very native-sounding construction.

• Don't add `吗 (ma)`: The most common mistake for beginners is to say `行不行吗？ (xíng bù xíng ma?)`. The “A-不-A” structure is already a question. Adding `吗 (ma)` at the end is redundant and grammatically incorrect. You can ask `行吗？ (xíng ma?)` or `行不行？`, but never both together.
• Formality: “行不行” is best for spoken and informal situations. In formal writing or a very serious business proposal, you would use a more formal phrase like `是否可行 (shìfǒu kěxíng)` which means “whether or not it is feasible.”
• “行不行” vs. “好不好” vs. “可不可以”:
  • `行不行 (xíng bù xíng)`: Focuses on feasibility and permission. “Will it work?” “Is it allowed?”
  • `好不好 (hǎo bù hǎo)`: Focuses on preference and agreement. “Is it good?” “Sound good?”. It's a softer, more opinion-based question.
  • `可不可以 (kě bù kěyǐ)`: Very similar to `行不行`, but focuses more on permission. “May I?” “Can I?”. It's often considered slightly more polite than `行不行`.

• `行 (xíng)` - The affirmative answer. Means “Okay,” “Fine,” “It works,” or “Deal.”
• `不行 (bù xíng)` - The negative answer. Means “Not okay,” “No way,” “It won't work.”
• `可不可以 (kě bù kěyǐ)` - A very close synonym, also asking for permission. “Can I?” or “Is it possible?”. Often interchangeable with `行不行`.
• `好不好 (hǎo bù hǎo)` - Another A-not-A question asking for agreement, often translated as “Sound good?”. Used when seeking consensus on a pleasant activity.
• `对不对 (duì bù duì)` - “Right?” or “Correct?”. Used to confirm a fact or statement you believe to be true.
• `是不是 (shì bù shì)` - “Isn't it?”. Used to confirm an assumption about a state of being.
• `行了 (xíng le)` - “That's enough!” or “Alright, that'll do.” Can be neutral but often carries a slightly impatient tone, as if telling someone to stop.
• `是否可行 (shìfǒu kěxíng)` - The formal, written equivalent of “行不行”. It means “whether or not it is feasible/viable.”