Meaning
善行 refers to morally good or virtuous actions, especially those that benefit others. It emphasizes deeds done with benevolent intention, often in a moral or ethical context. The word carries traditional Chinese philosophical undertones related to Confucian and Buddhist concepts of virtue.
Usage
This is a somewhat formal or literary term commonly used in written Chinese, moral discussions, religious contexts, or when praising someone's character. It appears frequently in news articles about charity work, moral education materials, and traditional texts. In everyday speech, people might use simpler terms like 做好事 (zuò hǎo shì) instead.
Examples
- 01他一生做了无数善行，帮助了很多需要帮助的人。, .He performed countless good deeds throughout his life, helping many people in need.
- 02这个组织鼓励人们多行善行，回馈社会。, .This organization encourages people to perform more good deeds and give back to society.
Characters
Measure words
- 件一件善行
- 桩一桩善行
Common collocations
- 积善行accumulate good deeds
- 善行义举good deeds and righteous acts
- 多做善行do more good deeds
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 善 (goodness/virtue) with 行 (action/conduct), creating a term that has been used in classical Chinese literature for centuries to denote morally praiseworthy behavior.