进行

The Chinese verb 进行 (jìnxíng) is a foundational yet sophisticated word that primarily translates to 'to carry out,' 'to conduct,' or 'to be in progress.' While it may seem simple at first glance, its usage is deeply rooted in the formal and professional registers of the Chinese language. Unlike the basic verb '做' (zuò - to do), which is used for everyday tasks like cooking or doing homework, 进行 is reserved for activities that have a certain level of formality, duration, or systematic nature. It serves as a 'light verb' or 'dummy verb,' which means it often carries the grammatical weight of the sentence while the actual action is expressed by the noun or verb that follows it. For example, in the phrase '进行讨论' (to conduct a discussion), '进行' provides the action of 'conducting,' while '讨论' provides the specific content. This word is indispensable in academic writing, business reporting, and news broadcasting because it allows the speaker to frame an action as a formal process rather than a simple act.

Formal Process

Used when an activity is viewed as a structured event, such as a meeting, a scientific experiment, or a political reform. It emphasizes the progression and execution of the event.

Abstract Action

Often paired with abstract nouns that represent actions, such as '研究' (research), '教育' (education), or '交流' (exchange).

One of the most critical aspects of using 进行 is understanding its syntactic constraints. In Modern Chinese, 进行 typically requires a disyllabic (two-character) verb or noun to follow it. You cannot use it with monosyllabic verbs like '吃' (eat) or '看' (look). You would never say '进行吃'; instead, you might say '进行用餐' (to conduct a meal/dining) in an extremely formal or descriptive context. This preference for disyllabic pairings is a hallmark of formal Mandarin. Furthermore, the action being 'conducted' must be one that can be sustained over time. It represents a process that is moving forward. This is why the characters themselves are so descriptive: '进' (jìn) means to enter or advance, and '行' (xíng) means to walk or go. Together, they imply 'moving forward with an action.'

In daily life, you will encounter 进行 in public announcements or formal settings. For instance, at a train station, you might hear '检票正在进行中' (Ticket checking is currently in progress). In a corporate setting, a manager might say '我们要对上季度的销售情况进行分析' (We need to carry out an analysis of last quarter's sales). The word signals that the action is not just a casual occurrence but a deliberate, organized effort. It also helps in organizing complex sentences where multiple actions are happening; by using 进行, the speaker can clearly separate the 'action' (the verb) from the 'content' (the noun following '进行'), making the sentence easier to parse in a formal context. Historically, this usage became prominent during the early 20th century as Chinese prose evolved to accommodate more Western-style grammatical structures, allowing for more complex and abstract expressions in modern science and social theory.

Duration

The action must have a duration. You cannot '进行' a momentary action like 'dropping' something.

Purposefulness

The action usually has a clear goal or objective, distinguishing it from random movement.

Finally, it is worth noting that 进行 can also function as an intransitive verb meaning 'to be in progress.' In this case, it often appears at the end of a clause or is followed by '中' (zhōng). For example, '比赛正在进行' (The match is in progress). This flexibility makes it a versatile tool for describing the status of various events. Whether you are discussing a sports match, a medical surgery, or a diplomatic mission, 进行 provides the linguistic framework to describe how these events are executed and maintained over time. Understanding this word is a significant step toward reaching a B1 and B2 level of proficiency, where the distinction between informal 'doing' and formal 'conducting' becomes vital for effective communication.

Using 进行 (jìnxíng) correctly requires a grasp of specific sentence patterns. The most common structure is: Subject + (正在) + 进行 + [Formal Disyllabic Verb/Noun]. This structure is used to indicate that the subject is currently carrying out a specific, usually formal, activity. For example, '委员会正在进行讨论' (The committee is conducting a discussion). Notice how '讨论' (tǎolùn) is a word that can act as both a verb and a noun. When it follows '进行', it functions as the object of the action. This pattern is ubiquitous in professional environments and is a key marker of advanced Chinese grammar.

The 'Target' Structure

When the action involves a specific target or object, the structure often shifts to: Subject + 对 + [Target] + 进行 + [Action]. For instance, '我们要对这个计划进行修改' (We need to carry out modifications to this plan). Here, '对' (duì) introduces the target '这个计划', and '进行修改' describes the action being performed on it. This is perhaps the most frequent way you will see '进行' used in business and academic contexts.

Another important use case is when 进行 acts as an intransitive verb to describe the status of an event. In this context, the event itself is the subject. The pattern is: [Event] + 正在 + 进行 + (中). For example, '会议正在进行中' (The meeting is in progress). Adding '中' (zhōng) emphasizes that the action is currently 'in the middle of' happening. This is very common in signage, news headlines, and status updates. It provides a formal way to say that something hasn't finished yet and is actively occurring.

Wait, there are restrictions! You cannot use 进行 with just any verb. It must be an action that has a 'process' feel. You wouldn't say '进行死' (conduct dying) or '进行知道' (conduct knowing). These are states or momentary events. 进行 demands an action that consists of steps or stages. Common partners include '改革' (reform), '调查' (investigation), '批评' (criticism), '选举' (election), and '实验' (experiment). If the action is simple, physical, or informal, stick to '做'. For example, '做饭' (cook food) is correct, while '进行做饭' is unnatural and sounds like a robot trying to talk like a bureaucrat.

In more complex sentences, 进行 can be used to link multiple formal actions. For example: '通过对市场进行调研，并对数据进行分析，我们得出了结论' (By conducting market research and performing data analysis, we reached a conclusion). Here, '进行' is used twice to maintain a consistent formal tone throughout the sentence. This repetitive use is common in Chinese analytical writing as it creates a rhythmic balance. It also helps clarify that both '调研' and '分析' are formal procedures being executed by the subject. Mastering these patterns allows you to transform simple ideas into professional-grade Chinese expressions.

Passive Construction

While '进行' is usually active, it can appear in passive contexts like '被进行' in very specific legal or academic jargon, though this is rare and often replaced by more natural passive structures.

Adverbial Modification

'进行' is often modified by adverbs like '顺利' (smoothly), '秘密' (secretly), or '重新' (again). Example: '工作进行得很顺利' (The work is progressing very smoothly).

If you find yourself in a Chinese-speaking professional environment, 进行 (jìnxíng) will be one of the most frequent words you hear. It is the language of the 'working world.' In office meetings, you will hear colleagues discuss '进行沟通' (conducting communication) or '进行对接' (conducting a hand-over/coordination). It moves the conversation from the personal and casual into the realm of professional duty. When a manager says '我们需要对这个项目进行复盘' (We need to conduct a retrospective on this project), the use of '进行' signals that this is an official task, not just a casual chat over coffee.

News and Media

News anchors use '进行' constantly. Whether it's a '进行访问' (conducting a visit) by a foreign leader or '进行搜救' (conducting a search and rescue) after a natural disaster, '进行' provides the necessary gravitas for reporting serious events. It frames the news as a series of organized actions by official bodies.

Academic and Scientific Discourse

In universities and research labs, '进行' is the standard verb for scientific activity. '进行实验' (conducting experiments), '进行观察' (conducting observations), and '进行逻辑推理' (conducting logical reasoning) are the bread and butter of academic papers. It emphasizes the methodology and the process of discovery.

Beyond the workplace and the news, you will encounter 进行 in institutional settings like hospitals and courts. A doctor might explain that they need to '进行手术' (conduct surgery) or '进行全面检查' (conduct a comprehensive check-up). In a legal setting, a judge might announce that the court will '进行宣判' (conduct the sentencing). In all these scenarios, the word '进行' acts as a formal bridge between the authority figure and the significant action they are about to perform. It reinforces the institutional nature of the act.

In the digital world, 进行 appears in software interfaces and system messages. When your phone is updating, it might say '系统更新正在进行' (System update in progress). When a file is being uploaded, the status might be '正在进行上传' (Uploading in progress). This usage is consistent with the idea of a 'process' that has a beginning and an end. Even in the gaming world, you might see '正在进行匹配' (Matchmaking in progress). While these are technical contexts, the underlying meaning remains the same: a structured, automated, or organized process is currently moving forward.

Public Service Announcements

Announcements in subways or airports often use '进行' to describe maintenance or security procedures. '正在进行线路维护' (Line maintenance is being conducted).

Literature and Essays

In formal essays or literature, '进行' is used to describe internal processes, like '进行反思' (conducting self-reflection) or '进行思想斗争' (conducting an internal struggle).

The most frequent mistake learners make with 进行 (jìnxíng) is using it in contexts that are too casual or with verbs that are too simple. This is often a result of over-translating the English word 'do' or 'carry out.' In English, we might say 'I'm doing some cleaning,' but in Chinese, saying '我在进行打扫' sounds incredibly stiff and unnatural. For daily chores, hobbies, and simple physical actions, you should use '做' (zuò), '干' (gàn), or the verb itself. For example, '打扫房间' (clean the room) is much better than using '进行'. The rule of thumb is: if the action doesn't feel like an 'official process,' don't use 进行.

The Monosyllabic Trap

As mentioned before, '进行' almost always requires a two-character word to follow it. A common error is saying something like '进行看' or '进行买'. These are grammatically incorrect. If you must use '进行' with these concepts, you need to find their formal disyllabic equivalents, such as '进行阅读' (conducting reading) or '进行采购' (conducting procurement), though even these should only be used in formal contexts.

Another common mistake involves the object of the verb. 进行 is a verb that takes an *action noun* as its object. It cannot take a concrete physical object. For example, you cannot say '进行书' (conduct book) or '进行苹果' (conduct apple). You can only 'conduct' an action *related* to the book, like '进行编写' (conduct the compilation/writing). If you want to say you are 'doing' something to an object, you usually need the '对...进行...' structure. If you leave out the action and just put the object after '进行', the sentence will fail to make sense.

Learners also struggle with the 'aspect' of 进行. Since '进行' inherently implies a process that is ongoing or being executed, it is often redundant to add too many other aspect markers like '了' (le) in ways that conflict with its 'process' nature. While '进行了' is common to describe a completed process ('我们进行了讨论'), you must be careful not to use it for things that aren't processes. Furthermore, '进行' cannot be used for future intentions that are vague. It is for actions that are either currently in progress, have been completed as a formal process, or are scheduled to be carried out as a formal procedure.

Redundancy

Sometimes '进行' is added where the verb alone is sufficient. In '我们讨论了这个问题', adding '进行' ('我们对这个问题进行了讨论') makes it more formal, but if you aren't in a formal setting, it just makes you sound like you're reading from a textbook.

State Verbs

Avoid using '进行' with verbs that describe states of being, such as '爱' (love), '恨' (hate), or '属于' (belong to). You cannot 'conduct' a state of being.

Understanding 进行 (jìnxíng) also requires knowing its 'siblings'—other verbs that mean 'to do' or 'to carry out' but carry different nuances. The most common alternative is 做 (zuò). As discussed, '做' is the general-purpose 'do' for daily life. While '进行' is for formal processes, '做' is for concrete actions. You '做' a cake, but you '进行' an experiment. If you use '进行' where '做' should be, you sound overly formal; if you use '做' where '进行' should be, you sound casual or perhaps slightly unpolished in a professional setting.

开展 (kāizhǎn)

This word means 'to launch' or 'to develop.' While '进行' focuses on the *process* of doing something, '开展' focuses on the *initiation* and *spreading* of an activity. You '进行' a specific discussion, but you '开展' a nationwide campaign or a new project. '开展' implies a larger scale and an opening up of activities.

实施 (shíshī)

This means 'to implement' or 'to carry out (a plan/policy).' It is even more formal than '进行' and is specifically used for putting a plan, law, or policy into effect. You '进行' an investigation, but you '实施' the resulting policy recommendations.

Another word often confused with 进行 is 举行 (jǔxíng). This specifically means 'to hold' an event like a ceremony, a meeting, or a wedding. The difference is subtle but important: '举行' focuses on the *event* itself taking place, while '进行' focuses on the *action* or *process* happening within or as part of that event. You '举行' a wedding ceremony (举行婚礼), and during that ceremony, you might '进行' an exchange of rings (进行交换戒指). If you are talking about a meeting, '举行会议' means the meeting is being held, while '会议正在进行' means the meeting is currently in progress.

Finally, we have 从事 (cóngshì), which means 'to be engaged in' or 'to go in for.' This is used for long-term professional or academic pursuits. You '从事' a career in education (从事教育工作), whereas you '进行' a specific educational activity (进行教学活动). '从事' describes your general occupation or field of activity, while '进行' describes the specific formal actions you take within that field. By choosing between these synonyms, you can express varying degrees of formality, scale, and duration, allowing for much more nuanced and professional Chinese communication.

执行 (zhíxíng)

To execute (a task, a command). Focuses on following orders or completing a specific duty. Example: '执行任务' (execute a mission).

办 (bàn)

To handle or manage. Used for administrative tasks. Example: '办手续' (handle formalities/paperwork).