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A2 noun #5,000 most common 9 min read

同行

tongxing Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 同行 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 同行 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the complex business nuances of 同行 (tóngháng). Instead, just focus on the basic idea: 'same job circle.' Think of it as a way to say someone does what you do. You might learn it in the context of talking about your job. For example, if you are a student, other students aren't really 'tóngháng' (because being a student isn't a 'trade'), but if you have a part-time job as a waiter, another waiter at a different restaurant is your 'tóngháng.' The most important thing at this level is the pronunciation. Remember it's 'háng' (like a row of things), not 'xíng' (like walking). Even at this early stage, knowing this word helps you understand that Chinese characters often have different meanings depending on how they are pronounced. Just remember: Same (同) + Trade (行) = Industry Peer.

At the A2 level, you should start using 同行 (tóngháng) in simple sentences about work. You can use it to introduce people or describe your professional network. You should be able to distinguish between 同事 (tóngshì - colleague) and 同行 (tóngháng - peer). A good exercise is to describe your job and then mention that you have many 'tóngháng' in your city. You might also hear this word in basic dialogues about meeting new people at work events. For instance, 'I met a tóngháng yesterday; he also teaches English.' This level is about building the habit of using 'tóngháng' to categorize people by their profession rather than just their name or company. You should also start to recognize the character 行 in other words like 银行 (yínháng - bank) to help you remember the 'háng' pronunciation.

At the B1 level, you can use 同行 (tóngháng) to discuss more complex topics like competition and industry trends. You should understand that 同行 can refer to both individuals and entire companies. You might use it in a sentence like, 'Our company's products are more popular than our peers' (我们公司的产品比同行更受欢迎). You will also encounter the word in professional reading materials, such as industry news or business blogs. At this level, you should be comfortable using 同行 as a noun that can be modified by adjectives like 竞争 (competitive) or 资深 (senior). You are also beginning to see the word in common idioms or proverbs, like '同行是冤家,' and you should be able to explain what that means in your own words.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 同行 (tóngháng) with precision in professional environments. You can use it to talk about 'peer review' (同行评审) or 'industry standards' (同行标准). You should understand the subtle difference between 同行 and more formal alternatives like 业内人士 (yènèi rénshì) or 同仁 (tóngrén). In a business negotiation or a formal presentation, you might use 同行 to acknowledge the expertise of others in the field while asserting your own position. You should also be able to handle the polyphonic nature of the character 行 without any hesitation, switching between tóngháng and tóngxíng based on context. Your vocabulary should now include specific industry prefixes, such as IT同行 or 金融同行.

At the C1 level, your use of 同行 (tóngháng) should be nuanced and culturally grounded. You understand the historical context of 'háng' (referring to the traditional guilds or 'hanghui' of old China) and how that influences the modern sense of professional community. You can use the word in high-level analytical discussions about market dynamics, monopoly laws, or professional ethics. You might use 同行 in a rhetorical way to build rapport during a speech, or to delicately critique a competitor's strategy. You are also familiar with literary or classical references to 'peers' and can distinguish between the modern business term and more poetic expressions of shared paths. Your writing should reflect an ability to use 同行 in complex grammatical structures, such as using it as a head noun in long, descriptive noun phrases.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 同行 (tóngháng). You can use it across all registers, from the most technical academic papers to the most casual, slang-filled professional banter. You understand how the word interacts with complex Chinese sociological concepts like 'Mianzi' (face) and 'Guanxi' (relationships) within an industry. You can effortlessly interpret and use wordplay involving the different pronunciations of 行. You might use the term in a philosophical discussion about the nature of professional identity in the digital age. For a C2 learner, 同行 is not just a vocabulary word, but a tool for navigating the intricate web of Chinese professional life, used to signal deep cultural and linguistic competence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

同行 in 30 Seconds

同行 (tóngháng) means a peer or competitor in the same industry.
It is a noun, different from the verb 'tóngxíng' (to travel together).
It differs from 'colleague' (同事) by focusing on the trade, not the employer.
It's used frequently in business networking, industry news, and professional evaluations.

The term 同行 (tóngháng) is a fundamental noun in Chinese professional discourse, specifically referring to a person or a company that operates within the same industry or trade as oneself. While in English we might use terms like 'peer,' 'competitor,' or 'professional counterpart,' the Chinese word 同行 encapsulates all these nuances in a single, versatile term. It is composed of two characters: 同 (tóng) meaning 'same' or 'together,' and 行 (háng), which in this specific pronunciation refers to a profession, trade, or industry. It is crucial to distinguish this from the pronunciation tóngxíng, which means 'to travel together.'

Core Professional Identity: In a business networking context, identifying someone as a tóngháng immediately establishes a common ground. It suggests that both parties share similar challenges, technical knowledge, and market environments. For example, if two software engineers from different companies meet at a tech conference, they would refer to each other as 同行.
The Competitive Nuance: While the term is often neutral or even friendly, it can also imply competition. There is a famous Chinese proverb: “同行是冤家” (tóngháng shì yuānjiā), which literally translates to 'Peers in the same industry are enemies.' This reflects the reality that businesses in the same sector are often fighting for the same clients and resources. However, in modern professional settings, it is more commonly used to show respect or to acknowledge someone's expertise in your field.

“在这次会议上，我见到了很多优秀的同行。”
(At this conference, I met many excellent peers from the same industry.)

Understanding 同行 is essential for anyone navigating the Chinese workplace or business world. It is used in both formal reports and casual office chatter. When you describe someone as your 同行, you are not just saying you do the same job, but that you belong to the same professional community. This sense of belonging is a key part of Chinese 'Guanxi' (relationship) building. By acknowledging someone as a peer, you are opening the door to deeper professional exchange, sharing 'insider' knowledge that someone outside the industry wouldn't understand.

The 'Insider' Perspective: Because 同行 implies a shared professional background, it is often used when discussing industry trends. 'As a peer, what do you think of this new regulation?' would be phrased using 同行 to signal that you are asking for an expert, insider opinion rather than a general one.

“作为同行，我很佩服他的专业精神。”
(As a peer in the industry, I greatly admire his professionalism.)

Using 同行 (tóngháng) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a noun. It typically functions as the subject or object of a sentence, or as a modifier to describe a group of people. Because it refers to a collective identity, it is often paired with words like 很多 (hěnduō - many), 优秀 (yōuxiù - excellent), or 资深 (zīshēn - senior).

As a Direct Object: When you meet someone from your industry, you can say: “原来我们是同行！” (Yuánlái wǒmen shì tóngháng!) which means 'So it turns out we are in the same industry!' This is a very common way to break the ice in a business setting.
Describing Competition: In a more strategic context, you might say: “我们要关注同行的动态。” (Wǒmen yào guānzhù tóngháng de dòngtài.) - 'We need to pay attention to the movements of our industry peers/competitors.' Here, 同行 refers to the other companies in your sector.

“这家公司的技术在同行中是领先的。”
(This company's technology is leading among its industry peers.)

It is also important to note that 同行 is often used in the structure “作为同行...” (Zuòwéi tóngháng...), meaning 'As a fellow industry professional...'. This is a powerful rhetorical device in Chinese. It establishes your authority and creates a sense of shared perspective before you offer an opinion or critique. For instance, 'As a fellow teacher, I understand your difficulties' would be “作为教育同行，我理解你的困难。”

Distinction from Colleagues: A common mistake is using 同行 when you mean 同事 (tóngshì - colleague). Remember: 同事 work in the same company as you. 同行 work in the same industry but likely at different companies. You wouldn't usually call someone in the next cubicle your 同行, unless you were emphasizing your shared professional craft over your shared employer.

“他虽然是我的同行，但我们从未在同一家公司工作过。”
(Although he is my industry peer, we have never worked at the same company.)

You will encounter 同行 (tóngháng) in a variety of professional and social settings. It is a high-frequency word in the Chinese business lexicon. From networking events to news broadcasts, understanding where and how it is used will help you sound more natural and professional.

Networking Events and Conferences: This is the most common environment for the word. At a 'Trade Fair' (交易会) or 'Summit' (峰会), speakers will often address the audience as “各位同行” (Gèwèi tóngháng - Dear industry colleagues/peers). It’s a polite and inclusive way to address a room full of professionals who share your field of work.
Business News and Financial Reports: When reading news about market competition, you will frequently see 同行 used to describe rival companies. For example, 'Tesla's performance has put pressure on its 同行 in the electric vehicle sector.' In this context, it refers to the competitive landscape of an entire industry.

“在行业不景气的时候，同行之间更应该加强合作。”
(When the industry is in a downturn, peers should strengthen their cooperation.)

Another interesting place you hear this word is in 'Shop Talk.' When two people meet and realize they share a profession, they might say “说起同行的话” (Speaking of our shared trade...). This acts as a bridge to discuss specific technical details or industry gossip that outsiders wouldn't find interesting. It creates an instant 'in-group' feeling.

Academic and Research Circles: In academia, 同行评审 (tóngháng píngshěn) is the standard term for 'peer review.' This is a highly formal and specific use of the word, emphasizing the evaluation of work by others with equal expertise in the same field.

“这篇论文正在接受同行评审。”
(This paper is currently undergoing peer review.)

Even for intermediate learners, 同行 (tóngháng) can be a source of confusion. The most common errors involve pronunciation, confusion with similar-looking words, and misapplication of the word's scope. Let's break these down to ensure you use the word accurately.

The Pronunciation Trap: The character 行 is a polyphone, meaning it has multiple pronunciations. When it means 'industry' or 'trade,' it is pronounced háng. When it means 'to walk' or 'to go,' it is pronounced xíng. Therefore, tóngháng (industry peer) is a noun, while tóngxíng (to travel together) is a verb. If you say “我们是同行” and pronounce it tóngxíng, people will think you are saying 'We are traveling together,' which might lead to a very confusing conversation!
Confusing Peer with Colleague: As mentioned before, learners often swap 同行 (tóngháng) with 同事 (tóngshì). Remember: 同事 is about the organization (same company), while 同行 is about the vocation (same industry). If you are introducing someone you work with every day at the same desk, use 同事. If you are introducing someone who does the same job but at a different company, use 同行.

❌ “他在我们公司工作，他是我的同行。”
✅ “他在我们公司工作，他是我的同事。”

Another mistake is using the word as a verb. You cannot '同行' an industry. You are a 同行. It is a state of being or a classification. If you want to say you are in the same industry as someone, you must use the 'to be' verb: “我和他是同行” (Wǒ hé tā shì tóngháng).

The 'Enemies' Assumption: While the proverb says peers are enemies, don't assume the word itself is negative. In modern Chinese business culture, calling someone a 同行 is often a sign of professional recognition. Avoid using it in a way that sounds overly aggressive unless that is your specific intent.

“虽然我们是同行，但我们可以共同开发这个市场。”
(Although we are industry peers/competitors, we can develop this market together.)

To truly master Chinese, you need to know not just one word, but the cluster of words that surround it. 同行 (tóngháng) has several synonyms and related terms, each with a slightly different flavor or formal level. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

1. 业内人士 (yènèi rénshì): This literally means 'people within the industry.' It is more formal than 同行 and is often used in news reports or formal speeches. While 同行 is often used to describe a personal relationship ('He is my peer'), 业内人士 is used more objectively ('Industry insiders say...').
2. 同仁 (tóngrén): This is a very respectful and somewhat old-fashioned term. It implies not just being in the same industry, but sharing the same goals and ideals. You might see a company address its staff or its industry partners as “各位同仁”. It carries a sense of camaraderie and shared mission.
3. 竞争对手 (jìngzhēng duìshǒu): If you want to emphasize the competitive aspect of being in the same industry, use this term. It means 'competitor.' While all 竞争对手 are usually 同行, not all 同行 are necessarily your direct competitors (for example, a baker in Beijing and a baker in Shanghai are 同行 but not really 竞争对手).

“据业内人士透露，该行业将迎来重大变革。”
(According to industry insiders, the sector will undergo major changes.)

Finally, consider the term 道友 (dàoyǒu). In ancient times, this referred to fellow practitioners of Taoism. In modern slang, particularly in online hobbyist circles (like fans of a specific book or game), it is sometimes used jokingly to mean 'fellow travelers' or 'peers' in a shared interest. However, in a professional context, stick to 同行.

4. 同行者 (tóngxíngzhě): Be careful! This uses the xíng pronunciation. It means 'one who travels with you' or 'companion.' It is often used metaphorically to mean people who share your life's journey or a specific project. It is more poetic and less 'business-like' than 同行 (tóngháng).

“我们不仅是同行，还是志同道合的朋友。”
(We are not only industry peers but also like-minded friends.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese cities, shops of the same trade were often grouped together on the same street (a 'hang'), so your 'tóngháng' were literally your neighbors on the street.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʊŋ hɑːŋ/

US /tʊŋ hɑŋ/

Equal stress on both syllables in Mandarin.

Rhymes With

银行 (yínháng) 懂行 (dǒngháng) 排行 (páiháng) 发行 (fāháng) 外行 (wàiháng) 内行 (nèiháng) 单行 (dānháng) 平行 (píngháng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'háng' as 'xíng'. This changes the meaning to 'traveling together'.
Using a flat tone (Tone 1) instead of the rising tone (Tone 2) for both characters.
Mispronouncing 'tóng' as 'táng' (sugar/hall).
Swapping the order to 'hángtóng' (meaningless).
Stressing the 'h' in 'háng' too hard; it should be a soft breathy sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are relatively simple, but '行' has two pronunciations.

Writing 3/5

Writing '行' is easy; '同' requires correct stroke order for the enclosure.

Speaking 3/5

Must master the 'háng' tone and avoid 'xíng'.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish 'tóngháng' from 'tóngxíng' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

同行同事工作行业

Learn Next

同仁业内竞争专业评审

Advanced

倾轧博弈知音志同道合门外汉

Grammar to Know

Polyphonic characters (多音字)

行 (háng) vs 行 (xíng)

Using '作为' (As a...)

作为同行，我支持你。

Noun compounding

同行 + 评审 = 同行评审

Possessive '的' with professions

我同行的公司

Comparison with '比'

他比同行更专业。

Examples by Level

他是我的同行。

He is my industry peer.

Subject + 是 + Possessive + 同行

我有很多同行朋友。

I have many friends in the same industry.

同行 acts as an adjective here modifying 'friends'.

你是我的同行吗？

Are you in the same industry as me?

Simple question with 吗.

我们不是同行。

We are not in the same industry.

Negation using 不是.

这里有很多同行。

There are many industry peers here.

这里 + 有 + Quantity + 同行.

我的同行很好。

My industry peer is very good/kind.

Simple Subject + Adjective structure.

他认识我的同行。

He knows my industry peer.

Subject + Verb + Object.

同行在那儿。

The industry peer is over there.

Locative structure.

在会上，我见到了几个同行。

At the meeting, I met several industry peers.

Use of '几个' for a small, indefinite number.

虽然我们是同行，但我们不常联系。

Although we are in the same industry, we don't contact each other often.

虽然...但是... (Although... but...).

你想认识我的同行吗？

Do you want to meet my industry peer?

Auxiliary verb '想' + Verb '认识'.

同行之间应该互相学习。

Peers in the same industry should learn from each other.

同行之间 (Among peers) + 应该 (should).

他是我在上海的同行。

He is my industry peer in Shanghai.

Place + 的 + 同行.

这家店的同行都在这条街上。

The competitors/peers of this shop are all on this street.

同行 referring to businesses rather than people.

我需要问问同行的意见。

I need to ask for a peer's opinion.

Verb reduplication '问问' for a casual action.

他是这个行业里很有名的同行。

He is a very famous peer in this industry.

Modifier '很有名的' before the noun.

为了了解市场，我们调查了同行的价格。

To understand the market, we investigated our peers' prices.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

作为同行，我非常理解你的压力。

As a peer, I completely understand your pressure.

作为... (As a...).

这个消息在同行中传得很快。

This news spread quickly among industry peers.

Verb + 得 + Adverb for result/manner.

我们不能落后于同行。

We cannot fall behind our industry peers.

落后于 (to fall behind [someone/something]).

他在同行心目中很有威信。

He has a lot of prestige in the eyes of his peers.

在...心目中 (In the eyes/mind of...).

同行是冤家，这句话并不总是对的。

Peers are enemies; this saying isn't always true.

Quoting a proverb as a subject.

他经常参加同行聚会。

He often attends gatherings of industry peers.

Noun + Noun compound '同行聚会'.

我们要学习同行的先进经验。

We need to learn from the advanced experience of our peers.

学习...的经验 (Learn from the experience of...).

面对同行的激烈竞争，我们必须创新。

Facing fierce competition from peers, we must innovate.

Facing (面对) + Abstract Noun Phrase.

这篇论文需要经过严格的同行评审。

This paper needs to go through rigorous peer review.

经过 (to go through/undergo) + Process.

他被公认为该行业的顶尖同行。

He is recognized as a top peer in the industry.

被 (Passive marker) + 公认 (publicly recognized).

同行的排挤让他感到很无奈。

The exclusion by his peers made him feel helpless.

Noun as an agent of an action (排挤).

他在同行面前总是表现得很谦虚。

He always behaves very modestly in front of his peers.

在...面前 (In front of/In the presence of).

由于同行的举报，那家公司被查处了。

Due to a report by a peer, that company was investigated and punished.

由于 (Due to) + Cause.

他不仅是我的同行，更是我的良师益友。

He is not only my peer, but even more so my mentor and friend.

不仅...更是... (Not only... but even more...).

我们要尊重同行的知识产权。

We must respect the intellectual property rights of our peers.

Respect (尊重) + Object.

在同行倾轧严重的行业，生存并非易事。

In industries where internal strife among peers is severe, survival is no easy task.

Relative clause describing the industry.

他以其卓越的成就赢得了同行的广泛赞誉。

He won widespread praise from his peers with his outstanding achievements.

以... (With/By means of) + Achievement + Verb.

这些数据是基于对数百名同行的访谈得出的。

These data were derived from interviews with hundreds of industry peers.

基于... (Based on) + Source.

作为同行，我们应该共同维护行业的声誉。

As peers, we should jointly maintain the reputation of the industry.

共同 (jointly) + Verb.

他经常在同行刊物上发表深度评论。

He frequently publishes in-depth commentaries in peer publications.

Place + 上 + Verb.

同行的傲慢偏见往往会阻碍技术的进步。

The arrogance and prejudice of peers often hinder technological progress.

Abstract nouns as subjects.

他试图通过并购同行来扩大市场份额。

He tried to expand market share by acquiring peers.

通过... (Through the means of) + Action.

在该领域，他是一位受人尊敬的资深同行。

In this field, he is a respected senior peer.

受人尊敬的 (respected by people) as a modifier.

这种同行相轻的现象在学术界屡见不鲜。

The phenomenon of peers belittling each other is common in academia.

同行相轻 (idiom: peers belittling each other).

他敏锐地察觉到了同行策略中微小的瑕疵。

He keenly sensed the tiny flaws in his peers' strategies.

Adverbial '敏锐地' (keenly) + Verb.

为了避开同行的锋芒，他选择了差异化竞争。

To avoid the brunt of his peers' strength, he chose a differentiation strategy.

避开...锋芒 (idiom: avoid the cutting edge/brunt of something).

他在演讲中巧妙地化解了同行提出的尖锐质疑。

In his speech, he skillfully neutralized the sharp questions raised by his peers.

化解 (neutralize/resolve) + Abstract Object.

这种技术突破令全球同行都感到震惊。

This technological breakthrough shocked industry peers worldwide.

令 (cause/make) + Object + Verb.

他深谙同行之间的博弈之道。

He is well-versed in the way of gaming/strategy among peers.

深谙 (deeply understand) + Object.

通过与同行的深度博弈，他最终确立了领先地位。

Through deep strategic interaction with peers, he finally established a leading position.

确立 (establish) + Position.

他这种提携后辈同行的精神值得我们学习。

His spirit of mentoring younger peers is worth our learning.

值得 (worth) + Verb.

Common Collocations

同行评审

同行竞争

业内同行

资深同行

同行动态

同行聚会

同行业务

同行标准

跨行同行

同行交流

Common Phrases

同行是冤家

— People in the same trade are rivals. Used to describe industry competition.

常言道，同行是冤家。

同行的认可

— Recognition from one's peers. A high form of professional praise.

他获得了同行的认可。

作为同行

— Speaking from the perspective of a peer.

作为同行，我支持他。

寻找同行

— Looking for people in the same industry.

他在网上寻找同行。

同行拆台

— Peers undermining each other.

最怕同行拆台。

同行抵制

— Boycott or resistance by industry peers.

该行为遭到了同行抵制。

同行拆借

— Interbank lending (specific financial term).

银行间的同行拆借。

同行压力

— Peer pressure within a professional context.

感受到同行的压力。

同行合作

— Cooperation between peers.

同行合作可以双赢。

同行精英

— The elite of the industry.

汇聚了各路同行精英。

Often Confused With

同行 vs 同事 (tóngshì)

Colleague (same company). Peer (same industry).

同行 vs 同行 (tóngxíng)

To travel together (verb). Industry peer (noun).

同行 vs 同学 (tóngxué)

Classmate (same school). Peer (same industry).

Idioms & Expressions

"同行相轻"

— Peers belittling each other. Often used in academic or literary circles.

文人之间常有同行相轻的毛病。

Literary

"隔行如隔山"

— Different trades are like different mountains. Used to say people in different industries don't understand each other.

真是隔行如隔山啊。

Common

"三百六十行，行行出状元"

— There are 360 trades, and every trade has its master. Encourages excellence in any field.

只要努力，行行出状元。

Inspirational

"行家里手"

— An expert or old hand in the trade.

他可是修车的行家里手。

Informal

"懂行"

— To know the ropes; to be an expert.

一看你就是懂行的人。

Informal

"内行看门道，外行看热闹"

— The expert looks at the skill, while the layman looks at the spectacle.

这画好在哪？内行看门道。

Common

"入行"

— To enter a profession.

他入行已经十年了。

Neutral

"改行"

— To change one's profession.

他去年改行做厨师了。

Neutral

"同行并进"

— Note: tóngxíng. To advance together. Often used in political or partnership slogans.

让我们同行并进，共创未来。

Formal

"同行同德"

— Note: tóngxíng. To act and think in unison.

全体员工同行同德。

Formal

Easily Confused

同行 vs 同仁

Both mean people in the same field.

同仁 is more formal and implies shared values or mission; 同行 is more general and neutral.

各位同仁，让我们共创辉煌。

同行 vs 行家

Both contain '行'.

行家 means an expert or master of a trade; 同行 just means someone in the same trade regardless of skill level.

他是个行家。

同行 vs 业内人士

Both refer to people in an industry.

业内人士 is used more as 'insiders' in a third-person, objective sense.

据业内人士透漏...

同行 vs 对手

Peers are often competitors.

对手 is explicitly a rival; 同行 is just a peer (could be a friend or a rival).

他是我的对手。

同行 vs 伙伴

Peers can be partners.

伙伴 implies cooperation; 同行 is just a professional classification.

他是我的合作伙伴。

Sentence Patterns

S + 是 + (Possessive) + 同行

他是我的同行。

S + (Place) + 有 + 很多 + 同行

这里有很多同行。

作为 + 同行，S + Verb

作为同行，我理解你。

在 + 同行 + 中，S + Verb

在同行中，他很有名。

S + 赢得/获得 + 同行的 + Noun

他赢得了同行的尊重。

同行 + 之间 + 的 + Abstract Noun

同行之间的博弈很复杂。

和 + 同行 + 交流

我喜欢和同行交流。

S + 不是 + 同行

我们不是同行。

Word Family

Nouns

行业 (hángyè - industry)

行家 (hángjiā - expert)

行情 (hángqíng - market conditions)

Verbs

入行 (rùháng - enter the trade)

改行 (gǎiháng - change trade)

Adjectives

同行 (tóngháng - of the same trade)

内行 (nèiháng - expert/insider)

同事 (colleague)

同学 (classmate)

同志 (comrade)

同胞 (compatriot)

同年 (same age)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in business, media, and professional social settings.

Common Mistakes

Pronouncing it tóngxíng when meaning peer. → tóngháng
tóngxíng means to travel together; tóngháng means industry peer.
Calling a direct office mate '同行'. → 同事 (tóngshì)
同行 is for the industry; 同事 is for the specific company.
Using 同行 as a verb (e.g., 我同行他). → 我和他是同行。
同行 is a noun. You need a verb like '是' (to be).
Using 同行 for students. → 同学 (tóngxué)
Being a student is not considered a 'trade' (háng).
Confusing 同行 with 同志 (comrade). → 同行
同志 is a political or social term; 同行 is strictly professional.

Tips

The 'Háng' Bank

Associate 'háng' with 'yínháng' (bank). Banks are businesses. So 'tóngháng' is same business.

Beyond Competition

While the proverb says peers are enemies, in modern China, 'peer groups' (同行群) on WeChat are vital for sharing info.

The 'As a...' Structure

Always use '作为同行' (Zuòwéi tóngháng) when you want to give advice based on your professional experience.

Tone Check

Both characters are Tone 2 (rising). It sounds like you are asking two short questions: Tóng? Háng?

Prefixes

Add your industry: IT同行, 法律同行, 建筑同行. It makes you sound very specific and professional.

Icebreaker

Saying '原来我们是同行' is one of the best ways to start a conversation at a business dinner.

Not Colleague

Never use 同行 for someone in your own team. That's 同事.

Peer Review

If you are a student or researcher, '同行评审' is a must-know term for your papers.

Market Research

When talking about competitors in a report, '同行' sounds more objective and less emotional than '对手'.

Formal Address

In a formal letter to people in your field, start with '各位同行' to show respect.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine two people (同 - same) standing in a row (行 - háng) at a market, selling the same thing. They are 'tóngháng'.

Visual Association

Picture a 'LinkedIn' logo but with two identical figures shaking hands. They are peers in the same industry.

Word Web

Industry Trade Peer Professional Competitor Insider Vocational Expert

Challenge

Try to find three people in your life who are your 'tóngháng' and three who are only your 'tóngshì'. Explain the difference to a friend in Chinese.

Word Origin

The character '同' depicts a mouth and a cover, symbolizing unity or agreement. '行' originally depicted a crossroad, representing walking or a path, which later evolved to mean a row of shops or a specific trade.

Original meaning: Originally, '同行' (tóngháng) referred to people belonging to the same 'hang' (guild or row of shops in a market).

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound dismissive. Calling a competitor '同行' is polite; calling them '对手' (opponent) is more aggressive.

English speakers often use 'colleague' for everyone they work with. In Chinese, you must separate 'colleague' (same company) from 'peer' (same industry).

The proverb '同行是冤家' (Peers are enemies). The academic term '同行评审' (Peer Review). Industry summits often titled '同行交流会'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

我有很多同行朋友
关注同行动态
向同行学习
行业经验

Conference

各位同行好
同行交流
同行评审
业内大咖

Business Report

领先同行
同行竞争
同行标准
市场份额

Socializing

你是哪行？
咱俩是同行
同行聚聚
入行多久？

Academia

同行评议
学术同行
引用同行
同行认可

Conversation Starters

"听你的介绍，原来我们是同行啊！"

"作为同行，你对现在的行情怎么看？"

"在这个行业里，你有没有比较佩服的同行？"

"你觉得我们和同行相比，最大的优势是什么？"

"最近有什么值得关注的同行动态吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对‘同行是冤家’这句话的看法。

描述一次你与同行交流的经历，你学到了什么？

如果你要给一个新入行的同行提建议，你会说什么？

比较一下你和你的主要同行在专业技能上的异同。

想象十年后，你希望在同行心目中是一个什么样的形象？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. Use 同学 (tóngxué) for classmates. 同行 is strictly for professional trades or industries.

In the 'tóngháng' pronunciation, yes, it is a noun. In 'tóngxíng', it is a verb meaning to travel together.

The general word for industry is 行业 (hángyè). 同行 specifically refers to the people/companies within that industry.

It's a common proverb. It's not necessarily rude, but it describes a reality of competition. Use it carefully in friendly contexts.

Yes, you can add a profession before it. It means 'peers in the medical profession'.

Use '位' (wèi) for people to be polite, or '个' (gè) for a more neutral/general count.

It can refer to both. Context will tell you if it's 'that peer company' or 'that peer person'.

It is 同行评审 (tóngháng píngshěn).

Usually no. For hobbies, use '同好' (tónghào) or '道友' (dàoyǒu).

Yes, it referred to people in the same merchant guilds.