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行径 (xíng jìng) — (negative) action, behavior, conduct (usually disapproving)

Definition

A formal noun for someone's (negative) actions or conduct, always with a disapproving tone. Unlike the neutral 行为, 行径 implies the acts are shameful, despicable, or outrageous.

noun
(negative) actionbehaviorconduct (usually disapproving)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 行径。
    Zhè zhǒng yě mán xíng jìng yǐn qǐ le gōng fèn.
    This kind of barbaric act aroused public outrage.
  • 行径。
    Tā de bēi liè xíng jìng lìng rén bù chǐ.
    His despicable behavior is contemptible.
  • 行径。
    Huǎng yán hé qī piàn shì wú chǐ de xíng jìng.
    Lies and deception are shameless acts.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

行xíngaction
径jìngpath

The action and path ideas combine to suggest a course of behavior, usually disapproved of.

Characters in this word

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 徑; 径 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chì
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng徑
Same sound today

The traditional form 徑 is built from 彳 and 巠, with 巠 giving the sound; the simplified 径 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 径 →
Appears in
Abstract Concepts

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