Japanese word

行動

Pronunciation

Romajikōdō

Meaning

  • nounbehavior

Example

子どもの行動を見ます。ko do mo no kō dō o mi ma su

I watch the child's behavior.

Illustration for 行動 (behavior)

More examples

学校では、よい行動が大切です。gak kō de wa yo i kō dō ga tai setsu de su

Good behavior is important at school.

言葉だけでなく、行動で気持ちを示します。koto ba da ke de na ku kō dō de ki mo chi o shime shi ma su

We show our feelings through our actions, not just with words.

Core concept

Describes the visible way a person responds or the act a person carries out in a situation.

Common phrases

  • 行動を取るkō dō o to ru

    take action

  • 行動を起こすkō dō o o ko su

    take action

  • 行動に移すkō dō ni utsu su

    put into action

  • 行動を改めるkō dō o arata me ru

    change one's behavior

Similar words

振る舞いfurumai: The way a person behaves in a particular situation.
行為kōi: An act carried out by a person, often with a clear purpose.
動作dōsa: A physical movement or action made by a person.

Definition in Japanese

人が実際に取る振る舞いや、目的をもって行う動き。hito ga jis sai ni to ru fu ru ma i ya moku teki o mo tte okona u ugo ki

Word origin

行動 (kōdō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 行 (kō, "going or doing") and 動 (dō, "movement"), combining the ideas of doing and moving.

Usage tips

  • 行動 (kōdō) can describe a single act or a person's usual conduct, so its meaning depends on whether the context focuses on one event or a pattern.

Other meanings

  • actionnoun

Related words

  • 行動するkōdōsuruactverb
  • 行動力kōdōryokuability to actnoun
  • 行動的kōdōtekiactivena-adjective

Word lists with this word