Translation and Meaning of: 行動 - koudou

The Japanese word 行動 (こうどう) is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "action" or "behavior," but it goes beyond that, reflecting important nuances in the way Japanese people see attitudes and decisions. In this article, we will explore what makes this word so relevant, from its writing in kanji to its use in everyday and philosophical contexts.

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese understand the relationship between thought and action, 行動 is a key to that answer. Here, we'll look not only at its literal translation but also at how it appears in common expressions, its frequency in daily life, and even tips for memorizing it efficiently. All based on reliable sources and real examples, without fabrications.

The meaning and kanji of 行動

The word 行動 is composed of two kanji: 行 (こう, "to go" or "to do") and 動 (どう, "movement"). Together, they form the concept of "action in motion," something that goes beyond an isolated act. While in Portuguese "ação" can be something abstract, in Japanese, 行動 carries the idea of concreteness, of something that is put into practice.

Unlike like 活動 (かつどう, "activity") or 行為 (こうい, "act"), 行動 carries a more individual and immediate weight. It is often used to describe personal choices, such as in 行動を起こす (to act) or 行動パターン (behavior pattern). This specificity makes it a common word in discussions about ethics and responsibility in Japan.

How 行動 is used in everyday Japanese

In daily life, the Japanese use 行動 to refer to everything from simple decisions to major life changes. Phrases like 行動が大切だ ("actions are important") or すぐ行動に移す ("put into practice immediately") are heard in various contexts, from advice among friends to motivational speeches in companies.

An interesting cultural aspect is that, in Japan, 行動 often comes with the expectation of coherence. It's not enough to have good intentions; your actions (行動) must reflect them. This explains why the word appears so frequently in self-help books and corporate trainings in the country, always focusing on the relationship between thinking and doing.

Tips for memorizing and using 行動 correctly

An effective way to reinforce 行動 is to associate it with situations where action and consequence are clear. For example, think of phrases like 環境保護のために行動する ("to act to protect the environment") or 彼の行動は勇敢だった ("his actions were courageous"). This type of context helps to understand when the word is more appropriate than its synonyms.

Another tip is to observe the radical 行 (which also appears in 行く, "iku" - "to go") and note how it appears in related to movement and decision. On the other hand, the kanji 動 is the same as in 動く ("ugoku" - "to move"), reinforcing the idea that 行動 ("koudou" - "action") is not static. This visual decomposition can be useful for those learning Japanese through writing.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 動作 (Dōsa) - Specific action or movement
  • 活動 (Katsudō) - Activity or action in a broader context, usually being continuous.
  • 動き (Ugoki) - Movement or change of position, generally used to describe an ongoing action.
  • 挙動 (Kyodō) - Behavior or action, often in relation to a response to stimuli
  • 振る舞い (Furumai) - Behavior or way of acting, generally concerning attitude and social interaction.
  • 行為 (Kōi) - Act or conduct that can be moral or immoral, focusing on the morality of the action.

Related words

デモンストレーション

demonsutore-syon

demonstration

いい加減

iikagen

moderate; correct; random; not meticulous; vague; irresponsible; unenthusiastic

悪者

warumono

Bad Companion; Rascal; Ruffian; Scoundrel

渡り鳥

wataridori

migratory bird; ing bird

露骨

rokotsu

1. Frank; Blunt; Plain; frank; 2. conspicuous; open; 3. broad; suggestive

幼稚

youchi

infancy; childish; childish

優勝

yuushou

overall victory; championship

間違える

machigaeru

err; to make a mistake

発作

hosa

adjustment; spasm

避難

hinan

Taking refuge; Finding Shelter

行動

Romaji: koudou
Kana: こうどう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: action; conduct; behavior; mobilization

Meaning in English: action;conduct;behaviour;mobilization

Definition: To really do something for someone or something.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (行動) koudou

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (行動) koudou:

Example Sentences - (行動) koudou

See below some example sentences:

同時に行動することが大切です。

Dōji ni kōdō suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act simultaneously.

It is important to act at the same time.

  • 同時に - at the same time
  • 行動する - act, take action
  • こと - abstract noun
  • 大切 - important, valuable
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
実感を持って行動することが大切です。

Jikkan wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with the feeling of reality.

It is important to act with a real feeling.

  • 実感 - real sensation, personal experience
  • を - object particle
  • 持って - the verb "to have/possess" in gerund
  • 行動する - verb "to act/to perform" in the infinitive
  • こと - abstract noun, indication of action
  • が - subject particle
  • 大切 - important, valuable
  • です - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense
左右を見てから行動してください。

Sayuu wo mite kara koudou shite kudasai

Por favor, olhe para a esquerda e para a direita antes de agir.

Please act after looking left and right.

  • 左右を見て - look left and right
  • から - Later
  • 行動してください - take action
幼稚な行動をやめて大人になろう。

Yōchi na kōdō o yamete otona ni narou

Stop the child behavior and become an adult.

  • 幼稚な - Childish, immature
  • 行動 - behavior, action
  • を - object particle
  • やめて - Stop, cease
  • 大人 - adult
  • に - target particle
  • なろう - to become
彼は度を超えた行動をとった。

Kare wa do o koeta kōdō o totta

He acted beyond the limits.

He takes action beyond.

  • 彼 (kare) - He
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 度 (tabi) - Time
  • を (wo) - Direct object particle
  • 超えた (koeta) - Sured
  • 行動 (koudou) - action
  • を (wo) - Direct object particle
  • とった (totta) - took
彼は規則に反する行動をした。

Kare wa kisoku ni hansuru koudou o shita

He acted in disagreement with the rules.

He acted against the rules.

  • 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
  • は - Japanese topic particle
  • 規則 - Japanese noun meaning "rule"
  • に - destination particle in Japanese
  • 反する - Japanese verb that means "to go against", "violate"
  • 行動 - Japanese noun meaning "action"
  • を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
  • した - Japanese past tense verb meaning "did"
従って行動することが大切です。

Juntatte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to act accordingly.

So it's important to act.

  • 従って - it means "consequently" or "according to".
  • 行動する - means "to act" or "to behave".
  • こと - it is a noun that indicates action or event.
  • が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
  • 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
  • です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar".
心得を持って行動することが大切です。

Kokoroe wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with knowledge and experience.

It is important to act with knowledge.

  • 心得 - knowledge, understanding
  • を - direct object particle
  • 持って - verb "to have, to own" in the gerund
  • 行動 - action, behavior
  • する - Verb "to do" in the present
  • こと - abstract noun, in this case, "the fact of"
  • が - subject particle
  • 大切 - important, valuable
  • です - verb "to be" in the present, formal
愚かな行動をすると後悔することになる。

Guka na koudou wo suru to koukai suru koto ni naru

If you act foolishly

If you act foolishly, you will regret it.

  • 愚かな - fool, stupid
  • 行動 - action, behavior
  • をする - make
  • と - I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that.
  • 後悔する - to regret
  • ことになる - end up becoming
慎重に行動することが大切です。

Shinchou ni koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with caution.

It is important to act carefully.

  • 慎重に - with care, with caution
  • 行動する - act, take action
  • ことが - the fact that
  • 大切です - is important

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

格別

kakubetsu

exceptional

送り仮名

okurigana

part of the word written in kana

公正

kousei

justice; equity; impartiality

過程

katei

process

維持

iji

maintenance; preservation

Action