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可行 (kě xíng) — feasible, workable, doable

Definition

可行 is a formal adjective describing whether a plan or idea can actually be carried out. Compared with 切实, it focuses on whether something works in principle; 切实 emphasizes realistic, down-to-earth practicality.

adjective
feasibleworkabledoable

Examples

  • 可行。
    Zhè ge fāng àn kàn qǐ lái hěn kě xíng.
    This plan looks very feasible.
  • 可行？
    Nǐ jué de zhè ge bàn fǎ kě xíng ma?
    Do you think this method is feasible?
  • ，可行。
    Jīng guò tǎo lùn, wǒ men rèn wéi zhè ge xiàng mù shì kě xíng de.
    After discussion, we believe this project is feasible.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可kěcan/worthy of
行xíngwork/go

“可” adds a sense of being able or worthy, and “行” means work or go, giving able to be carried out.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 彳彳chì
  • 亍亍chù

The shape of 行 originally showed a street intersection, even on both sides. Later it became uneven, with 彳 on the left and 亍 on the right.

Open 行 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Good & Bad

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