The Meaning of okonau [行う] In Japanese

行う
おこなう
Romaji: okonau N5

What does 行う mean?

Translation and Meaning

to perform, to carry out, to conduct

Definition

行う denotes the deliberate execution of an action or plan; it covers performing tasks, conducting ceremonies, and implementing policies, typically in formal or neutral contexts.

Type

Verb (動詞) (transitive)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to perform an action or task
  • to conduct or host an event, ceremony, or meeting
  • to implement or enact a plan, policy, or procedure
  • to undertake something in a formal or ceremonial sense

Etymology

行 + ふ (old kana) formed a native verb; phonetic evolution moved from the classical form okonau (written as 行ふ) to the modern reading okonau with the kana ending う

Origin

Earliest attestations appear in classical Japanese texts; usage expanded across periods, becoming common in modern Japanese for actions ranging from planned tasks to public ceremonies

Composition

  • 行: core meaning relates to action, conduct, or going; the combination with う yields the verb sense of performing an action

Usage

Used with を to mark the direct object: 計画を行う, 会議を行う, 式を行う; common in formal writing and media; in casual speech, 実施する or する is often preferred
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a person stepping along a line to complete a task—the kanji 行 visually hints at moving along and taking action

Variations

  • 実施する (jisshi suru) – to implement or carry out
  • 執り行う (toriokonau) – to conduct a formal ceremony
  • 行なう (okonau) – variant spelling
  • 遂行する (suikō suru) – to fulfill, carry through
  • 中止する (ちゅうし する) – antonym: to discontinue

Example Phrases

  • 今日は 新しい 作業の 手順を 行う。
    Kyou wa atarashii sagyou no tejun o okonau.
    Today I will perform the steps of the new task.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyou wa) – today
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • 作業の (sagyō no) – of the task
    • 手順を (tejun o) – steps
    • 行う (okonau) – perform
    「行う」 means ‘to carry out / perform.’ Here it is used with 手順を to mean ‘to perform the steps’.
  • 私は 善を 行う ために 毎日 努力している。
    Watashi wa zen o okonau tame ni mainichi doryoku shite iru.
    I am making an effort every day to do good.
    Lista:
    • 私は (Watashi wa) – I
    • 善を (zen o) – to do good
    • 行う (okonau) – to perform / do
    • ために (tame ni) – for the purpose of
    • 毎日 (mainichi) – every day
    • 努力している (doryoku shite iru) – am making an effort
    This uses 「善」 as a noun meaning ‘goodness’, marked by を in 善を行う to mean ‘do good’.
行う