行動
kōdō[ko̞ːdo̞ː]
The English phrase behavior can be translated into Japanese as 行動 (kōdō). Wiktionary also lists 行儀 (gyōgi).
Meaning: way an animal or human behaves or acts (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 行動 | kōdō | [ko̞ːdo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 行儀 | gyōgi | [ɡʲo̞ːɡʲi] (narrow) |
行動 refers to the way a person or animal acts, their conduct or their physical actions and movements. It is often used to describe how someone carries out a plan.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 行動 is composed of the characters 行 (meaning go or act) and 動 (meaning move), which literally means 'to act and move'.
Which one should you use?
While 行動 refers to general actions, conduct or physical movements, 行儀 refers specifically to a person's manners or social etiquette. For example, if you want to say someone has bad manners, you would use the phrase 行儀が悪い.
How do you pronounce it?
kōdō
Did you know?
- The term 行動 is frequently paired with the word 'radius' (行動範囲) to describe the physical area or 'behavioral range' a person typically visits.
- In traditional Japanese arts like tea ceremonies, the 'behavior' or movements of the practitioner are called 所作 (shosa), which implies a ritualized beauty.
- When talking about the 'behavior' of an animal in a scientific sense, Japanese often uses 習性, which translates more closely to 'habits' or 'instinctive tendencies' than just physical movement.
Examples in context
- 彼の行動は時々奇妙だ。His behavior is sometimes strange.This sentence shows how to describe behavior that is sometimes strange using 行動.Tatoeba #117368 by tommy__san, translation #286296 by CK
- 君の行動は突飛すぎるよ。Your behavior is too extraordinary.This sentence shows how to describe behavior that is too extraordinary using 行動.Tatoeba #178305 by KK_kaku_, translation #17157 by Zifre
- 自分の行動を恥じるべきだ。You should be ashamed of your behavior.This sentence shows how to express that one should be ashamed of their behavior using 行動.Tatoeba #149853 by small_snow, translation #264705 by CK
- 彼の行動は非常に礼儀正しいです。His behavior is very polite.
- 私たちの行動には注意が必要です。We need to be careful with our behavior.
- 公共の場では常に適切な行動を心掛けましょう。Let's always be mindful of appropriate behavior in public places.
- 彼の振る舞いはいつも楽しいですね。His behavior is always cheerful.
- 友達同士の振る舞いには気をつけましょう。Let's be careful with how we behave among friends.
- デートの振る舞いには注意が必要です。We need to be careful with our behavior on a date.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about their dog.
- 健太 Kenta犬の行動が最近おかしいね。Inu no kōdō ga saikin okashii ne.The dog's behavior has been strange lately.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に。何に怒っているのかな。Hontō ni. Nani ni okotte iru no kana.Really. I wonder what he's angry about.
- 健太 Kentaこういう行動はストレスのサインかも。Kōiu kōdō wa sutoresu no sain kamo.This kind of behavior might be a sign of stress.
- 美咲 Misaki明日、動物病院に連れて行こう。Ashita, dōbutsu byōin ni tsurete ikō.Let's take him to the vet tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “behavior” translations and entries 行動, 行儀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
