xíngwéi: 行为 - Behavior, Action, Conduct

• Keywords: 行为, xingwei, xing wei, Chinese word for behavior, Chinese for conduct, Chinese for action, 行为 meaning, what is xingwei, 行为 vs 行动, Chinese psychology terms, Chinese vocabulary, HSK 4
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese noun 行为 (xíngwéi), which translates to “behavior,” “conduct,” or “action.” This page explores its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in modern China, from describing a child's conduct to analyzing consumer behavior. Understand the key difference between 行为 (xíngwéi) and 行动 (xíngdòng) to use the word like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xíngwéi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: A person's, group's, or animal's actions, conduct, and manner of behaving.
• In a Nutshell: 行为 (xíngwéi) is the standard, slightly formal word for “behavior.” It's less about a single, isolated action and more about the overall conduct or a pattern of actions. Think of it as the 'what' and 'how' of someone's actions, often viewed from an observational or analytical perspective. It's the word you'd see in a psychology textbook, a school report card, or a news article describing someone's deeds.

• 行 (xíng): This character's original form depicts a crossroads, and its core meaning is “to walk,” “to go,” or “to act.” It implies movement and carrying something out.
• 为 (wéi): This character means “to do,” “to make,” “to act as,” or “to become.” It's about agency and creation.
• When combined, 行为 (xíngwéi) literally means “acting-doing.” The two characters reinforce each other to create a noun that encompasses the entire concept of one's observable actions and overall conduct.

In Chinese culture, which is deeply influenced by collectivist and Confucian values, an individual's 行为 (xíngwéi) is rarely seen in isolation. It is a direct reflection of one's upbringing, character, family honor, and respect for social order. Compared to the Western concept of “behavior,” which often emphasizes individual expression and psychological drivers, the Chinese understanding of 行为 (xíngwéi) places a heavier weight on social consequences. “Good behavior” (好的行为) is often that which promotes harmony (和谐, héxié), shows respect for elders and authority, and aligns with established social norms. A child's misbehavior, for example, isn't just a personal failing but can bring shame (丢脸, diūliǎn) to their entire family. This makes the observation and judgment of 行为 (xíngwéi) a crucial aspect of social interaction in China.

行为 (xíngwéi) is a versatile noun used in both formal and semi-formal contexts.

• Formal & Academic: This is the standard term in fields like psychology (心理学), sociology (社会学), economics (经济学), and education (教育).
  • e.g., 消费者行为 (xiāofèizhě xíngwéi) - Consumer behavior
  • e.g., 儿童行为发展 (értóng xíngwéi fāzhǎn) - Child behavioral development
• Legal & Official: It's used in legal documents and news reports to refer to an “act” or “deed.”
  • e.g., 违法行为 (wéifǎ xíngwéi) - Illegal act/behavior
  • e.g., 欺诈行为 (qīzhà xíngwéi) - Fraudulent act/conduct
• Everyday Description & Judgment: In daily conversation, it's used to describe or pass judgment on someone's conduct, often when it's noteworthy or unusual.
  • e.g., 他的行为很奇怪。(Tā de xíngwéi hěn qíguài.) - His behavior is very strange.
  • e.g., 这是一种不负责任的行为。(Zhè shì yī zhǒng bù fù zérèn de xíngwéi.) - This is a type of irresponsible behavior.

• Example 1:
  • 他的英雄行为受到了大家的赞扬。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yīngxióng xíngwéi shòudào le dàjiā de zànyáng.
  • English: His heroic behavior was praised by everyone.
  • Analysis: Here, 行为 refers to his deeds or conduct, which are being judged as “heroic.” It encapsulates all of his heroic actions.
• Example 2:
  • 我们必须对自己的行为负责。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū duì zìjǐ de xíngwéi fùzé.
  • English: We must be responsible for our own actions/behavior.
  • Analysis: This is a common phrase emphasizing personal accountability. 行为 refers to the sum of one's actions and their consequences.
• Example 3:
  • 这种行为在公共场合是不被允许的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng xíngwéi zài gōnggòng chǎnghé shì bù bèi yǔnxǔ de.
  • English: This kind of behavior is not permitted in public places.
  • Analysis: 行为 is used here to label a type of conduct that violates social norms. It's a formal way of saying “you can't do that here.”
• Example 4:
  • 心理学家正在研究动物的行为模式。
  • Pinyin: Xīnlǐxuéjiā zhèngzài yánjiū dòngwù de xíngwéi móshì.
  • English: The psychologist is researching animal behavior patterns.
  • Analysis: This shows the academic use of 行为. It's the standard scientific term for “behavior.”
• Example 5:
  • 他的反常行为引起了警方的注意。
  • Pinyin: Tā de fǎncháng xíngwéi yǐnqǐ le jǐngfāng de zhùyì.
  • English: His abnormal behavior attracted the attention of the police.
  • Analysis: 行为 is used to describe a pattern of conduct that deviates from the norm.
• Example 6:
  • 公司的商业行为必须合法。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de shāngyè xíngwéi bìxū héfǎ.
  • English: The company's business conduct must be legal.
  • Analysis: This example demonstrates its use in a business and legal context. 行为 here means “conduct” or “practices.”
• Example 7:
  • 教育的目的之一是塑造良好的行为习惯。
  • Pinyin: Jiàoyù de mùdì zhī yī shì sùzào liánghǎo de xíngwéi xíguàn.
  • English: One of the purposes of education is to shape good behavioral habits.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 行为 (behavior) with 习惯 (habits), showing how repeated behaviors form habits.
• Example 8:
  • 我们不应该仅仅根据一次行为来判断一个人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi jǐnjǐn gēnjù yī cì xíngwéi lái pànduàn yī gè rén.
  • English: We shouldn't judge a person based on a single act.
  • Analysis: Even though it mentions “a single act,” 行为 is used because that act is being viewed as a piece of conduct for judgment.
• Example 9:
  • 在网络上，匿名行为有时会导致不负责任的言论。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǎngluò shàng, nìmíng xíngwéi yǒushí huì dǎozhì bù fù zérèn de yánlùn.
  • English: On the internet, anonymous behavior can sometimes lead to irresponsible comments.
  • Analysis: This applies the concept of 行为 to the modern context of online interactions.
• Example 10:
  • 他的行为背后一定有更深层的原因。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi bèihòu yīdìng yǒu gēng shēncéng de yuányīn.
  • English: There must be a deeper reason behind his behavior.
  • Analysis: This highlights the analytical nature of the word. 行为 is the observable surface, and one can analyze the reasons behind it.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 行为 (xíngwéi) and 行动 (xíngdòng). They can both be translated as “action,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 行为 (xíngwéi) - Behavior / Conduct:
  • Focus: The nature, manner, or pattern of one's actions. It's more abstract and often carries a moral or social judgment.
  • Usage: Used to describe, analyze, or judge conduct. (e.g., 奇怪的行为 - strange behavior).
  • Think: “Behavior,” “Conduct,” “Deed.”
• 行动 (xíngdòng) - Action / Operation:
  • Focus: A specific, concrete, often planned physical act or movement. It's about getting something done.
  • Usage: Used when talking about taking action, a military operation, or a planned initiative. (e.g., 采取行动 - take action).
  • Think: “Action,” “Movement,” “Operation.”

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect: 我们必须采取行为来保护环境。 (Wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ xíngwéi lái bǎohù huánjìng.)
• Why it's wrong: 采取 (cǎiqǔ) means “to adopt” or “to take (a measure).” It pairs with a concrete plan or action. 行为 is too abstract. It's like saying “we must adopt behavior.”
• Correct: 我们必须采取行动来保护环境。 (Wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ xíngdòng lái bǎohù huánjìng.)
  • We must take action to protect the environment.

• 行动 (xíngdòng) - A concrete, specific action or operation. The physical “doing” rather than the abstract “behavior.”
• 举动 (jǔdòng) - A move, act, or gesture. Often refers to a single, observable physical movement. More specific than 行为.
• 品行 (pǐnxíng) - Moral conduct; character. This term has a strong focus on morality and ethics. 品行不端 (pǐnxíng bù duān) means “to be of bad character.”
• 表现 (biǎoxiàn) - Performance, manifestation. How one's abilities, attitude, or character show on the outside. Your 行为 contributes to your overall 表现.
• 态度 (tàidù) - Attitude. The mindset or feeling that often precedes and influences one's 行为.
• 做法 (zuòfǎ) - Way of doing things; method. It focuses on the 'how' something is done.
• 习惯 (xíguàn) - Habit. A 行为 that is repeated so often it becomes automatic.
• 道德 (dàodé) - Morals, ethics. The system of principles used to judge whether a 行为 is right or wrong.