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March 24, 2026
履行xíng(lü3xing2)
履行 (xíng) means to fulfill or carry out obligations, tasks, or agreements. It is often used in legal, business, and formal contexts to describe the act of implementing a promise or duty, such as fulfilling a contract or undertaking responsibilities.
Frequency#6508DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
'履行' reflects the importance of duty and obligation in Chinese culture, where fulfilling one’s responsibilities is seen as a sign of integrity and respect. This is particularly evident in business practices and interpersonal relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person putting on shoes (履) to step into their responsibilities and obligations (行). Just as you must wear shoes to walk, you must '履行' your duties to move forward in life.
Meanings of 履行
xíng(lü3xing2)
primary
1to fulfill (one's obligations)
2to carry out (a task)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 履行
履行Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6508Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 履行
Podcast: 履行
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AI Study Notes for 履行
Quick Contrast
履行 (xíng) vs 完成 (wánchéng) — use 履行 when emphasizing the fulfillment of obligations or duties, while 完成 focuses on simply completing a task or project.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person putting on shoes (履) to step into their responsibilities and obligations (行). Just as you must wear shoes to walk, you must '履行' your duties to move forward in life.
Usage Notes
This term is often used in formal contexts such as contracts or agreements, making it less common in casual conversation. Be careful with the tone; '履' is pronounced with a falling tone (lǚ) while '行' in this context is pronounced with a rising tone (xíng). Common collocations include '履行合同' (fulfill a contract) and '履行职责' (fulfill duties).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, '履行' connects with other legal and formal vocabulary, such as '合同' (contract) and '责任' (responsibility). Students should focus on understanding the formal contexts in which this verb is used, as well as its related terms.
Cultural Note
'履行' reflects the importance of duty and obligation in Chinese culture, where fulfilling one’s responsibilities is seen as a sign of integrity and respect. This is particularly evident in business practices and interpersonal relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '履行' with '执行' (to execute), which has a slightly different meaning focused on implementation rather than fulfilling obligations. For example, saying '我执行我的职责' (I execute my duties) should be corrected to '我履行我的职责'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 履行
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Grammar Patterns of 履行
履行 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
委员会的委员们都是些年轻妇女, 很好地____了她们的职责.
The committee, who were all young women, fulfilled their duties admirably.
Example Sentences for 履行 (5)
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1
委员会的委员们都是些年轻妇女, 很好地履行了她们的职责.
wěi yuán huì de wěi yuán mén dū shì xiē nián qīng fù nǚ, , hěn hǎo dì lǚ háng le tā mén de zhí.
The committee, who were all young women, fulfilled their duties admirably.
2
他相信盟友们会履行他们的承诺。
tā xiāng xìn méng yǒu mén huì lǚ háng tā mén de chéng nuò。
He was confident the allies would make good on their pledges.
The Editor can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations.
4
老仆人履行了其主人要他照料孩子的指示.
lǎo pū rén lǚ háng le qí zhǔ rén yào tā zhào liào hái zǐ de zhǐ shì.
The old servant fulfilled his master's charge to care for the children.
5
他确实想好好履行作为教父的职责.
tā què shí xiǎng hǎo hǎo lǚ háng zuò wéi jiào fù de zhí zé.
He really wants to fulfil his role as godfather properly.
Cultural Notes for 履行
🏮Cultural insight
'履行' reflects the importance of duty and obligation in Chinese culture, where fulfilling one’s responsibilities is seen as a sign of integrity and respect. This is particularly evident in business practices and interpersonal relationships.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of fulfilling obligations may emphasize personal choice and autonomy more than in Chinese culture, where societal expectations and duties play a significant role.
Frequently Asked Questions about 履行
'履行' is primarily used in formal contexts, such as business or legal discussions, rather than in casual conversation.
'履行' specifically refers to fulfilling obligations or duties, while '完成' means to complete or finish something and may not carry the same connotation of obligation.
