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行 can be pronunced háng or xíng.
As far as I have seen, it means "OK, to go, profession", and many more other meanings.
Could you briefly summarize the usage of it and its corresponding pronunciation. Because whenever I see this character I am lost.
Are there any clue to help to match it with its correct pronunciation/meaning whenever I see it?
háng (in most noun)
(1) line, row 表格中的一行 a row in a table, 字里行间 between the lines
(2) seniority among brothers and sisters， 我排行第二 I'm the second eldest one.
(3) some place of business, 银行 bank，花行 flower shop，商行 trading company
(4) trade, company(not very exact) 行业，同行
(5) measure word 一行，两行
xíng (verb, use verb as noun)
(1) walk -> distance 步行，行走 walk, on foot,
(2) something used when going out 行装 outfit for a journey，行李 luggage
(3) transfer, propagation 行销 marketing, 风行一时 be in fashion
(4) be engaged in 进行 proceed 行刺 assassinate
(5) a surname 一个姓氏
(6) behaviour 行为
(7) elements only in 五行
(8) can, be able to, have the ability, ok to go
(9) soon 行将
(10) 'travel party' 张三等一行人来到花市。
héng skill 道行
xing2 (5), the character is not appearing, you forgot it ?
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:32
Language is just a tool to express oneself.
语言只是用来表达一个人想法的工具。
If you want to learn a language well, you must get rid of all the "Appeared Language", cast light on the inside.
如果你想学好一门语言的话，就要抛弃语言外在的枷锁，找寻深刻的内在含义。
the meanings of the language sometimes reflect on the wether it is a verb, noun or adj.?
语言的含义有时会体现在词性的表达上面，是动词呢，名词呢，还是形容词？
just as you said, "行" can be pronunced háng or xíng, but in different condition, the meaning will be total different!
就像你说的，“行”可以发háng和xíng，可是在不同的情况下，意义可能会大不相同。
háng would be mostly used as a "noun" , such as "bank", however, xíng would be mostly used as a "verb" which mostly means "can".
háng大都时候用在名词中，比如说“银行”，xíng 通常会用在动词中，而这些动词的意思通常有“可以”的意思。
Don't be overwhelmed by that long list of definitions. Just remember three definitions and you'll be 95% covered:
xing2: OK, alright
xing2 (usually used in combinations with other characters): go, move
hang2 (usually used in combination with other characters): industry, line of business/work
From Sheik. As you can see the situation is even more complex in Cantonese.
/粵拼: haang4 (in compound words, often 'hang4')//漢語: xing2/
1 [v] to go; to walk; to go on foot
[2] [v] to move; to travel; to circulate; to go
/粵拼: hang4//漢語: xing2/
[3] [v] to act; to do; to work
[4] [v] to publish
[5] [v] be current; to prevail
[6] able; capable
[7] all right; OK; enough
[8] baggage for travel
[9] [n] road; path
[10] ready to...
[11] Kangxi radical 144
/粵拼: hong4, hong4*2//漢語: hang2/
[12] [n] row; line
[13] [n] business firm; company
[14] [n] trade; line; profession
[15] [n] generation
/粵拼: hang4//漢語: hang2/
[16] order of siblings according to seniority
/粵拼: hang6//漢語: xing2 (舊: xing4)/
[17] one's conduct; one's behaviour
