Chinese word

行吗

Pronunciation

Pinyinxíng ma

Meaning

  • particleis that okay

Example

我们现在走，行吗？wǒ men xiàn zài zǒu xíng ma

Is it okay if we leave now?

Illustration for 行吗 (is that okay)

More examples

你把门关一下，行吗？nǐ bǎ mén guān yí xià xíng ma

Could you close the door, please?

Core concept

A quick spoken test of whether a suggested action is acceptable and workable.

Common phrases

  • 这样行吗zhè yàng xíng ma

    Is that okay

  • 帮我一下行吗bāng wǒ yí xià xíng ma

    Can you help me for a moment

  • 现在出发行吗xiàn zài chū fā xíng ma

    Is it okay if we leave now

Similar words

可以吗ké yǐ ma: A question asking whether someone has permission to do something.
好吗hǎo ma: A question asking whether someone agrees to something or feels okay about it.
行不行xíng bù xíng: A direct yes-or-no question about whether a proposal or request is possible.
方便吗fāng biàn ma: A question asking whether something is convenient for the person involved.

Definition in Chinese

用于询问对方是否同意或允许某个行为，表示请求许可或确认可行性的口语疑问。yòng yú xún wèn duì fāng shì fǒu tóng yì huò yún xǔ mǒu gè xíng wéi biǎo shì qǐng qiú xú kě huò què rèn kě xíng xìng de kóu yǔ yí wèn

Word origin

行 (xíng, "be possible or acceptable") + 吗 (ma, "question particle") makes the first word's positive judgment open for the listener to confirm or reject.

Usage tips

  • A reply can focus on permission, timing, or practical conditions because this question checks the whole proposal rather than one isolated fact.

Other meanings

  • will that workparticle
  • do you mindparticle

Word lists with this word