dōu xíng: 都行 - Anything is fine, Either is okay, It's all good

• Keywords: douxing, dou xing, 都行, meaning of dou xing, how to use dou xing in Chinese, 都行 vs 随便, Chinese for “anything is fine”, “either is okay”, “it's all good”, flexible, easy-going, Chinese slang, conversational Chinese.
• Summary: “都行” (dōu xíng) is a fundamental phrase in conversational Chinese that means “anything is fine,” “either is okay,” or “it's all good.” It's used to express flexibility and agreeableness when presented with choices, such as what to eat, where to go, or when to meet. Understanding “都行” is key to sounding natural and polite in everyday situations, as it reflects a cultural preference for harmony and being easy-going. This page will break down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use, contrasting it with similar terms like “随便” (suíbiàn).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dōu xíng
• Part of Speech: Phrase / Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A versatile phrase indicating that any of the presented options are acceptable.
• In a Nutshell: “都行” is the go-to phrase for showing you're not picky. Imagine a friend asks if you want to watch a comedy or an action movie. If you'd be happy with either, you can simply say, “都行!” It’s a friendly and polite way to defer the decision to someone else, essentially saying, “I'm happy with whatever you choose.”

• 都 (dōu): This character is an adverb that means “all” or “both.” It's used to summarize everything that comes before it in a sentence. Think of it as a way to gather up all the options on the table.
• 行 (xíng): This character means “to be okay,” “to be permissible,” “to work,” or “alright.” It's a stamp of approval.
• Combined Meaning: When you put them together, `都 (dōu)` + `行 (xíng)` literally means “all is okay.” This perfectly captures the essence of the phrase: all the choices you've given me are acceptable.

“都行” is more than just a convenient phrase; it's a window into Chinese social dynamics. It's deeply connected to the cultural value of harmony (和谐, héxié) and the importance of being considerate of others. In many Western cultures, particularly American culture, stating a clear preference is often seen as helpful and direct. If someone asks, “Coffee or tea?” giving a direct answer is expected. However, in Chinese culture, immediately stating a strong preference can sometimes be perceived as being demanding or not considering the host's convenience. By saying “都行,” a person demonstrates:

• Politeness: You are not imposing your own desires on others.
• Deference: You are happy to let the other person (perhaps a host, an elder, or a friend) make the final decision.
• Easy-going Nature: You show that you are not a “麻烦” (máfan - troublesome) person.

This is different from the English “whatever,” which can carry a negative, dismissive connotation. “都行” is almost always positive or neutral. It’s a tool for maintaining a smooth, agreeable atmosphere, prioritizing the group's comfort over individual preference.

“都行” is extremely common in daily conversations. You will hear and use it constantly.

• Making Plans: It's the most common response when deciding on restaurants, movies, meeting times, or activities.
• Accepting an Offer: When a host offers you a choice of drinks or snacks, “都行” is a polite way to accept without causing them any trouble.
• Formality: It is generally informal and conversational. In a very formal business setting, a more specific answer might be better, but among colleagues and friends, it's perfect.
• Connotation: The connotation is overwhelmingly positive and friendly. It says, “I trust your judgment and I'm happy with any outcome.” The only time it might seem slightly negative is if said with a flat, unenthusiastic tone, where it could imply indifference, but this is not its primary meaning.

• Example 1:
  • 我们晚饭吃米饭还是面条？都行。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen wǎnfàn chī mǐfàn háishì miàntiáo? Dōu xíng.
  • English: Should we have rice or noodles for dinner? Either is fine.
  • Analysis: A classic and very common use case. The speaker is showing they have no strong preference and is happy with either choice.
• Example 2:
  • 你想喝咖啡还是茶？都行，你喝什么我就喝什么。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng hē kāfēi háishì chá? Dōu xíng, nǐ hē shénme wǒ jiù hē shénme.
  • English: Do you want coffee or tea? Either is okay, I'll have whatever you're having.
  • Analysis: Here, “都行” is followed by a clarifying statement that emphasizes deference to the host or friend. This is a very polite and common construction.
• Example 3:
  • 我们周六还是周日去看电影？都行，我这个周末有空。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhōu liù háishì zhōu rì qù kàn diànyǐng? Dōu xíng, wǒ zhège zhōumò yǒu kòng.
  • English: Should we go to the movies on Saturday or Sunday? Either day works, I'm free this weekend.
  • Analysis: This shows flexibility with scheduling, a very practical use of the phrase.
• Example 4:
  • 这个椅子放在客厅还是卧室？都行，你觉得哪里好看就放哪里。
  • Pinyin: Zhège yǐzi fàng zài kètīng háishì wòshì? Dōu xíng, nǐ juédé nǎlǐ hǎokàn jiù fàng nǎlǐ.
  • English: Should this chair go in the living room or the bedroom? Either is fine, put it wherever you think it looks good.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates trust in the other person's judgment and taste.
• Example 5:
  • A: 这个计划A和计划B，你选哪个？ B: 我觉得都行。
  • Pinyin: A: Zhège jìhuà A hé jìhuà B, nǐ xuǎn nǎge? B: Wǒ juédé dōu xíng.
  • English: A: Plan A and Plan B, which one do you choose? B: I think both are okay.
  • Analysis: Used in a slightly more formal context, like work, to indicate that both proposed plans are viable.
• Example 6:
  • 你坐出租车或者坐地铁来？都行，看哪个更方便。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuò chūzūchē huòzhě zuò dìtiě lái? Dōu xíng, kàn nǎge gèng fāngbiàn.
  • English: Are you taking a taxi or the subway? Either is fine, see whichever is more convenient.
  • Analysis: This shows flexibility and consideration for the other person's convenience.
• Example 7:
  • 付现金还是用微信支付？都行。
  • Pinyin: Fù xiànjīn háishì yòng Wēixìn zhīfù? Dōu xíng.
  • English: Pay with cash or WeChat Pay? Either works.
  • Analysis: A very common, quick interaction in daily life in China.
• Example 8:
  • 我们是现在出发还是等一会儿？都行，我不着急。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shì xiànzài chūfā háishì děng yīhuìr? Dōu xíng, wǒ bù zhāojí.
  • English: Should we leave now or wait a bit? Either is fine, I'm not in a hurry.
  • Analysis: “都行” is often paired with a reason, like “我不着急” (I'm not in a rush), to reinforce the feeling of being easy-going.
• Example 9:
  • A: 对不起，这家餐厅关门了，我们去另一家可以吗？ B: 都行，没问题。
  • Pinyin: A: Duìbùqǐ, zhè jiā cāntīng guānménle, wǒmen qù lìngyī jiā kěyǐ ma? B: Dōu xíng, méi wèntí.
  • English: A: Sorry, this restaurant is closed, can we go to another one? B: That's totally fine, no problem.
  • Analysis: In this context, “都行” means “any other restaurant is fine.” It's used to be reassuring and agreeable when plans change unexpectedly.
• Example 10:
  • 你想让我帮你买红色的还是蓝色的？都行，谢谢你！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng ràng wǒ bāng nǐ mǎi hóngsè de háishì lánsè de? Dōu xíng, xièxiè nǐ!
  • English: Do you want me to help you buy the red one or the blue one? Either is fine, thank you!
  • Analysis: This is a polite way to respond when someone is doing you a favor, showing you don't want to be picky.

The biggest pitfall for learners is confusing “都行” with “随便 (suíbiàn).”

• “都行” (dōu xíng) vs. “随便” (suíbiàn):
  • 都行 (dōu xíng): This is the safe, polite, and positive choice. It means “All the options you presented are good, and I'm happy with any of them.” It has a friendly, agreeable tone.
  • 随便 (suíbiàn): This literally means “as is convenient” and is often translated as “whatever.” While it can be used neutrally, it frequently carries a risk of sounding indifferent, dismissive, or even annoyed. In a dating context, if one person asks “What do you want to eat?” and the other replies “随便,” it's a classic setup for an argument because it can imply “I don't care enough to even think about it.”
  • Rule of Thumb: When in doubt, use 都行. It's almost always the better, more polite option.
• Common Mistake: Hiding a Real Preference
  • A common mistake is to say “都行” when you actually do have a preference. While you might think you're being polite, it can sometimes be frustrating for the person asking, as they are genuinely trying to choose something you will enjoy. If you'd really prefer noodles over rice, it's better to say something polite but more direct, like “我们吃面条吧，我今天有点想吃面 (Wǒmen chī miàntiáo ba, wǒ jīntiān yǒudiǎn xiǎng chī miàn - Let's have noodles, I'm kind of craving them today).”

• 随便 (suíbiàn) - A close relative, meaning “whatever” or “as you please,” but can sound more indifferent or dismissive than `都行`.
• 都可以 (dōu kěyǐ) - A direct synonym for `都行`. “可以” (kěyǐ) means “can” or “may,” so this literally means “all are possible/permissible.” It's interchangeable with `都行` in most contexts.
• 没问题 (méi wèntí) - Means “no problem.” Used to agree to a request or to reassure someone, rather than to choose between options. (e.g., “Can you help me?” “没问题!”)
• 行 (xíng) - The single-character version, meaning “Okay,” “Alright,” or “Deal.” Used for simple, direct agreement.
• 好 (hǎo) - Means “Good” or “Okay.” It's another simple way to agree to a suggestion.
• 无所谓 (wúsuǒwèi) - Means “I don't mind,” “it makes no difference,” or “I'm indifferent.” This is much closer to the English “I don't care” and is stronger than `随便` in its neutrality or indifference.
• 听你的 (tīng nǐ de) - Literally “listen to you,” it means “It's up to you” or “You decide.” This explicitly gives the decision-making power to the other person and is a very polite alternative to `都行`.