Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
行为(行為)xíngwéi(xing2wei2)
行为 (xíngwéi) refers to an individual's actions or conduct, encompassing a wide range of behaviors and activities. It is often used in contexts related to psychology, ethics, and social behavior, highlighting how actions reflect one's character or intentions.
Frequency#913DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 行为 is often linked to the idea of '面子' (miànzi, face), where one's actions can significantly impact social standing and reputation. Proper conduct is deeply valued in both personal and professional settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person walking (行) and showing their true self (为) through their actions. Visualize them performing various activities that reveal their behavior, linking the characters to both movement and conduct.
Meanings of 行为
xíngwéi(xing2wei2)
1action
2conduct
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 行为
行为Simplified
行為Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#913Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 行为
Podcast: 行为
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 行为
Quick Contrast
举动 (jǔdòng) refers more specifically to a particular action or gesture, while 行为 (xíngwéi) encompasses a broader range of conduct and behavior.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person walking (行) and showing their true self (为) through their actions. Visualize them performing various activities that reveal their behavior, linking the characters to both movement and conduct.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 行为 is often used in formal contexts, such as discussions about ethics or psychology. Common collocations include '不良行为' (bad behavior) and '社会行为' (social behavior). Avoid mixing it up with similar-sounding words that might convey different nuances.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 行为 connects to other words related to actions and conduct, such as 动作 (dòngzuò, action) and 行为习惯 (xíngwéi xíguàn, behavioral habits). Focus on using it in various sentence structures to enhance your fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 行为 is often linked to the idea of '面子' (miànzi, face), where one's actions can significantly impact social standing and reputation. Proper conduct is deeply valued in both personal and professional settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 行为 with 习惯 (xíguàn, habit). For example, saying '我有好行为' (wǒ yǒu hǎo xíngwéi) is incorrect; it should be '我有好习惯' (wǒ yǒu hǎo xíguàn) to mean 'I have good habits.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 行为
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 行为 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 行为 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 行为
行为 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The key issue was whether the four defendants acted dishonestly.
2
还有其他形式的民众骚乱，最出名的是足球流氓行为。
huán yǒu qí tā xíng shì de mín zhòng sāo luàn， ， zuì chū míng de shì zú qiú liú máng háng。
There are other forms of civil disorder — most notably, football hooliganism.
3
该行为公然违背了《维也纳公约》。
gāi háng wéi gōng rán wéi bèi le《 《 wéi yě nà gōng》。
The action is an open violation of the Vienna Convention.
4
这个实用的基础模型较为简略地解释了人类的行为。
zhè gè shí yòng de jī chǔ mó xíng jiào wéi jiǎn lüè dì jiě shì le rén lèi de háng wéi。
This basic utilitarian model gives a relatively unsophisticated account of human behaviour.
5
该报违反了保护隐私的行为准则。
gāi bào wéi fǎn le bǎo hù yǐn sī de háng wéi zhǔn zé。
The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.
6
最近暴力行为激增，这已经打击了公众的信心。
zuì jìn bào lì háng wéi jī zēng， ， zhè yǐ jīng dǎ jī le gōng zhòng de xìn。
The recent spurt in violence has demoralised the public.
7
他要调查的正是这一类虐待行为。
tā yào tiáo chá de zhèng shì zhè yī lèi nüè dài háng wéi。
That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating.
8
协会的所有成员都遵守一套严格的行为规范。
xié huì de suǒ yǒu chéng yuán dū zūn shǒu yī tào yán gé de háng wéi guī fàn。
All members of the association adhere to a strict code of practice.
9
他在战争中的英勇行为后来被改编成一部电影。
tā zài zhàn zhēng zhōng de yīng yǒng háng wéi hòu lái bèi gǎi biān chéng yī bù diàn yǐng。
His wartime exploits were later made into a film.
10
他们因存在严重猥亵行为而被判有罪。
tā mén yīn cún zài yán zhòng wěi xiè háng wéi ér bèi pàn yǒu zuì。
They were found guilty of acts of gross indecency.
Cultural Notes for 行为
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 行为 is often linked to the idea of '面子' (miànzi, face), where one's actions can significantly impact social standing and reputation. Proper conduct is deeply valued in both personal and professional settings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 行为
行为 refers to overall conduct and behavior, while 动作 specifically denotes physical actions.
Yes, but it is more commonly used in formal or academic contexts.
Yes, synonyms include 行动 (xíngdòng, action) and 举动 (jǔdòng, move or act).
