行進

こうしん

march, parade

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"行進" (こうしん) primarily means "march" or "parade," referring to the act of moving forward in an organized, often ceremonial, procession. It is commonly used to describe military marches, school sports day parades, or public celebrations.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "行進" in formal or public event contexts, such as military ceremonies, festivals, or school events. It implies a coordinated, rhythmic movement of a group of people.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 行進する: to march or parade
  • 行進曲 (こうしんきょく): march music, often played during parades
  • 行進開始 (こうしんかいし): start of the march

Register and Nuance

"行進" is a formal noun and is typically used in written or formal spoken Japanese. It is less common in casual conversation unless describing an event.

Common Learner Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse "行進" with "進行" (しんこう), which means "progress" or "advance" in a more abstract sense. Remember that "行進" specifically refers to physical marching or parading.

Example Sentences

まいとし、がっこうのうんどうかいでせいとたちがこうしんします。

Every year, students march in the school's sports day.

ぐんたいがこっきをせんとうにしてこうしんをはじめた。

The troops began marching with the national flag at the front.

ぱれーどのこうしんはごごにじにしやくしょまえからはじまります。

The parade march starts at 2 p.m. in front of the city hall.