知行合一
知行合一 (zhī xíng hé yī) literally means “knowledge and action unite as one” and expresses “practice what you know”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zhi xing he yi, zhi xing he yi,知行合一 meaning, 知行合一 in english
Practice what you know
Pronunciation: zhī xíng hé yī
Literal meaning: Knowledge and action unite as one
Origin & Usage
Popularized by Neo-Confucian philosopher Wang Yangming in the Ming Dynasty, this idiom unites knowledge (知) and action (行) as one (合一). Wang challenged the traditional separation between theoretical understanding and practical application, arguing that true knowledge inherently manifests in action. His revolutionary philosophy emerged from personal experience during political exile, where he observed that mere book learning without practical application was meaningless. The concept profoundly influenced East Asian philosophical thought and later resonated with Western pragmatist philosophy. In modern usage, it particularly applies to professional fields where theory and practice must align - from medical training to business management. It advocates for learning through doing and reminds us that understanding is incomplete without application.
Examples
English: "He doesn't just talk about environmental protection, he lives it"
Chinese: 他不仅谈论环保，更是身体力行
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 知行合一 mean in English?
知行合一 (zhī xíng hé yī) literally translates to “Knowledge and action unite as one” and is used to express “Practice what you know”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 知行合一 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving practice what you know.
What is the pinyin for 知行合一?
The pinyin pronunciation for 知行合一 is “zhī xíng hé yī”.