Chinese word

行得通

Pronunciation

Pinyinxíng de tōng

Meaning

  • adjectivework

Example

这个办法在这里行得通吗？zhè ge bàn fǎ zài zhè lǐ xíng de tōng ma

Does this method work here?

Illustration for 行得通 (work)

More examples

你这样做可能行得通。nǐ zhè yàng zuò kě néng xíng de tōng

This way of doing it may work.

Core concept

An idea moves from possibility to successful use when it can pass every practical test.

Common phrases

  • 这样行得通zhè yàng xíng de tōng

    work this way

  • 这样说行得通zhè yàng shuō xíng de tōng

    work when said this way

  • 对我来说行得通duì wǒ lái shuō xíng de tōng

    work for me

Similar words

可行kě xíng: Possible to carry out successfully in practice.
有效yǒu xiào: Effective enough to produce the desired result.
通用tōng yòng: Usable and accepted across many different situations.
适用shì yòng: Suitable for use under particular conditions or in a particular situation.

Definition in Chinese

在特定情况下能够被接受或实施，从而达到预期效果。zài tè dìng qíng kuàng xià néng gòu bèi jiē shòu huò shí shī cóng ér dá dào yù qī xiào guǒ

Word origin

行 (xíng, "go") + 得 (de, "can") + 通 (tōng, "pass through") frames a method as able to get through practical conditions and achieve its purpose.

Usage tips

  • This word usually evaluates a plan, method, or proposal rather than a person's ability, which helps distinguish it from broader English uses of work.

Other meanings

  • succeedadjective
  • be feasibleadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word