xíngchéng: 行程 - Itinerary, Schedule, Journey

• Keywords: 行程, xingcheng, Chinese itinerary, travel schedule in Chinese, plan a trip in Chinese, journey Chinese, travel route, business trip schedule, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 行程 (xíngchéng), which means “itinerary,” “schedule,” or “journey.” This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, character breakdown, and cultural significance. Discover how to use 行程 in practical situations like planning a trip, organizing a business meeting, or simply discussing your plans with friends in China. With over 10 example sentences and a guide to common mistakes, you'll master this crucial HSK 4 vocabulary word for travel and daily conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xíngchéng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: A planned route or schedule for a journey.
• In a Nutshell: 行程 (xíngchéng) is the go-to word for any kind of travel plan. Think of it as the complete blueprint for a trip. It's not just the destination, but the entire sequence of travel, activities, and appointments along the way. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, a multi-city tour of China, or a formal business trip, the detailed plan you create is your 行程.

• 行 (xíng): This character's original form looked like a crossroads, and it fundamentally means “to walk,” “to go,” or “to travel.” It's all about movement.
• 程 (chéng): This character means “route,” “journey,” or “process.” It suggests a measured distance or a sequence of stages.
• When combined, 行程 (xíngchéng) literally means “travel route” or “journey process.” The characters perfectly capture the idea of a planned path of movement over a specific period.

In Chinese culture, especially in business and formal settings, having a clear and detailed 行程 (xíngchéng) is highly valued. It demonstrates preparedness, efficiency, and respect for other people's time. Arriving for a business meeting and presenting a well-thought-out 行程 shows that you are serious and organized. Let's compare 行程 (xíngchéng) to the English word “itinerary.” While they are very similar, 行程 often feels more concrete and comprehensive. An “itinerary” can sometimes be a loose list of flights and hotels. A 行程, however, often implies a more integrated schedule of transportation, meetings, meals, and activities. When a Chinese host asks for your 行程, they are asking for this complete picture so they can coordinate logistics and show proper hospitality. This reflects a cultural preference for planning and avoiding unexpected situations.

行程 (xíngchéng) is an extremely common word used in various contexts:

• Travel and Tourism: This is the most common use. You make a `旅游行程` (lǚyóu xíngchéng - travel itinerary), discuss your 行程 with a travel agent, or share it with friends.
• Business: When on a business trip (`出差 - chūchāi`), your schedule is your `出差行程` (chūchāi xíngchéng). Colleagues and clients will frequently ask, “你的行程是什么?” (What is your schedule?) to arrange meetings.
• Daily Life: While less common for simple daily routines (for that, you might use `安排 ānpái` or `日程 rìchéng`), you could use 行程 if your day involves significant travel across a city for multiple appointments. For example, “I have a packed schedule today” could be “我今天的行程很满 (wǒ jīntiān de xíngchéng hěn mǎn).”

The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations without issue.

• Example 1:
  • 我们需要为下周的旅行制定一个详细的行程。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào wèi xià zhōu de lǚxíng zhìdìng yí ge xiángxì de xíngchéng.
  • English: We need to create a detailed itinerary for next week's trip.
  • Analysis: A classic example of planning a trip. `制定 (zhìdìng)` means “to formulate” or “to lay down,” which pairs perfectly with the formal nature of creating an itinerary.
• Example 2:
  • 你能把你的行程发给我吗？我想安排一个会议。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bǎ nǐ de xíngchéng fā gěi wǒ ma? Wǒ xiǎng ānpái yí ge huìyì.
  • English: Can you send me your itinerary? I'd like to arrange a meeting.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and practical business request. Note the use of `安排 (ānpái - to arrange)`, which often works together with 行程.
• Example 3:
  • 因为天气不好，我们不得不改变了行程。
  • Pinyin: Yīnwèi tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen bùdébù gǎibiàn le xíngchéng.
  • English: Because the weather was bad, we had no choice but to change our itinerary.
  • Analysis: This shows that a 行程 is a plan, and like any plan, it can be changed (`改变 gǎibiàn`).
• Example 4:
  • 老板这次去上海的行程非常紧张。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn zhè cì qù Shànghǎi de xíngchéng fēicháng jǐnzhāng.
  • English: The boss's schedule for this trip to Shanghai is very tight.
  • Analysis: `紧张 (jǐnzhāng)` here doesn't mean “nervous,” but “tight” or “packed.” It's a great adjective to describe a busy 行程.
• Example 5:
  • 整个行程大概需要三个小时。
  • Pinyin: Zhěnggè xíngchéng dàgài xūyào sān ge xiǎoshí.
  • English: The entire journey will take about three hours.
  • Analysis: Here, 行程 is used to mean “journey” or “route,” focusing on the duration of travel itself.
• Example 6:
  • 导游向我们介绍了今天的行程安排。
  • Pinyin: Dǎoyóu xiàng wǒmen jièshào le jīntiān de xíngchéng ānpái.
  • English: The tour guide introduced us to today's schedule arrangements.
  • Analysis: `行程安排 (xíngchéng ānpái)` is a common collocation, meaning “itinerary arrangements.” It emphasizes the planned nature of the schedule.
• Example 7:
  • 这次出差的行程包括参观三个工厂。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì chūchāi de xíngchéng bāokuò cānguān sān ge gōngchǎng.
  • English: The itinerary for this business trip includes visiting three factories.
  • Analysis: This shows how a 行程 is made up of specific activities. `包括 (bāokuò)` means “to include.”
• Example 8:
  • 我还在考虑周末的行程，可能去爬山。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hái zài kǎolǜ zhōumò de xíngchéng, kěnéng qù páshān.
  • English: I'm still thinking about my plans (itinerary) for the weekend, maybe I'll go hiking.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a more informal, personal use of the word for planning leisure time.
• Example 9:
  • 如果行程有任何变动，请及时通知我。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ xíngchéng yǒu rènhé biàndòng, qǐng jíshí tōngzhī wǒ.
  • English: If there are any changes to the schedule, please notify me in a timely manner.
  • Analysis: A very useful and polite sentence for professional communication. `变动 (biàndòng)` is a more formal word for “change.”
• Example 10:
  • 总统的访问行程是国家机密。
  • Pinyin: Zǒngtǒng de fǎngwèn xíngchéng shì guójiā jīmì.
  • English: The president's visit itinerary is a state secret.
  • Analysis: This shows the use of 行程 in a very formal, high-level context, such as diplomacy or state affairs.

A common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 行程 from other words related to “plan” or “schedule.”

• 行程 (xíngchéng) vs. 计划 (jìhuà):
  • 行程 is specific to a journey or travel. It's an itinerary.
  • 计划 (jìhuà) is a general “plan.” A travel plan (`旅游计划`) would contain a detailed 行程. You can have a `学习计划` (study plan) or `工作计划` (work plan), but you cannot use 行程 for these.
  • Incorrect: 我的学习行程是每天读一小时书。 (My study itinerary is to read for one hour every day.)
  • Correct: 我的学习计划是每天读一小时书。 (My study plan is to read for one hour every day.)
• 行程 (xíngchéng) vs. 日程 (rìchéng):
  • 行程 implies travel or movement between different locations.
  • 日程 (rìchéng) means “daily schedule” and often refers to a series of appointments or tasks in one general location, like an office. A president's daily schedule of meetings in the White House is a `日程`. His schedule for a trip to another country is a 行程.
  • Incorrect: 我今天的行程是在办公室开三个会。 (My itinerary today is to have three meetings in the office.)
  • Correct: 我今天的日程是在办公室开三个会。 (My daily schedule today is to have three meetings in the office.)

• 计划 (jìhuà) - Plan. A broader term; a 行程 is a type of 计划.
• 安排 (ānpái) - Arrangement; to arrange. The action of organizing a 行程.
• 日程 (rìchéng) - Daily schedule. More focused on a single day's appointments, usually without long-distance travel.
• 旅程 (lǚchéng) - Journey; trip. Similar, but emphasizes the experience and duration of the journey itself, rather than the pre-planned schedule.
• 路线 (lùxiàn) - Route; path. Focuses specifically on the physical path or line of travel (e.g., a bus route).
• 旅游 (lǚyóu) - Tourism; to travel for pleasure. The activity for which you would create a 行程.
• 出差 (chūchāi) - To be on a business trip. A common reason to have a formal 行程.
• 航班 (hángbān) - Scheduled flight. A key component of many travel itineraries.
• 订票 (dìng piào) - To book tickets. An action you take when creating your 行程.
• 导游 (dǎoyóu) - Tour guide. The person who often manages or explains the group's 行程.