Japanese word

行為

Pronunciation

Romajikōi

Meaning

  • nounact

Example

それは親切な行為です。so re wa shin setsu na kō i de su

That is a kind act.

Illustration for 行為 (act)

More examples

この小さな行為が、友達を元気づけることがあります。ko no chii sa na kō i ga tomo dachi o gen ki zu ke ru ko to ga a ri ma su

This small act can sometimes cheer up a friend.

Core concept

Shows something a person does, either as one deliberate deed or as a pattern of conduct.

Common phrases

  • 行為をやめるkō i o ya me ru

    stop the act

  • 行為を繰り返すkō i o ku ri kae su

    repeat the act

  • 行為を改めるkō i o arata me ru

    change one's behavior

Similar words

行動kōdō: A person's way of acting, often shown through repeated actions over time.
仕業shiwaza: A deed seen as wrong or harmful, often with blame directed at the person who did it.

Definition in Japanese

人が意思や目的に基づいて実際に行うことや振る舞い。hito ga i shi ya moku teki ni moto zu i te jis sai ni okona u ko to ya fu ru ma i

Word origin

行為 (kōi) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 行 (kō, "do") and 為 (i, "do" or "act"), giving the word its sense of a deed or conduct.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, an act often suggests one deliberate deed, while behavior can describe a person's repeated way of acting.

Other meanings

  • behaviornoun

Opposites

  • 無為muiinactionnoun

Related words

  • 行為者kōishaactornoun

Word lists with this word