Word Detail

The Japanese word 行います 行います (おこないます - okonaimasu) is a polite form of the verb "to do," "to perform," or "to conduct." It indicates that an action is being carried out, executed, or put into practice. It is often used in formal settings, business contexts, and when describing official events or procedures. The base form of the verb is 行う (おこなう - okonau), and 行います is the polite masu-form. The meaning of 行います covers a broad range of actions, including carrying out plans, conducting ceremonies, holding events, and implementing policies. The nuance is generally more formal and deliberate than simply saying "to do."

⚫︎会議を行います。 Translation: I will hold a meeting. ⚫︎調査を行います。 Translation: We will conduct a survey. ⚫︎実験を行います。 Translation: The experiment will be carried out.

⚫︎行います is appropriate in formal situations, such as business meetings, presentations, official announcements, and written communications. ⚫︎It's best used when the action being described is planned, organized, or a part of a specific procedure. ⚫︎It's more polite and formal than using casual verbs for "to do" such as する (suru). ⚫︎Use 行います to show respect and professionalism.

⚫︎The word is typically written in kanji 行います, though it's perfectly acceptable to write it in hiragana おこないます, particularly if the kanji is not known. ⚫︎The verb 行う (おこなう) itself uses the kanji 行 (こう, ぎょう - going, acting, carrying out) and the okurigana is う. ⚫︎The polite form, 行います, always uses the hiragana ます. ⚫︎The word 行う (おこなう) has various conjugations such as 行った (おこなった - did), 行わない (おこなわない - will not do), and 行うこと (おこなうこと - doing).

⚫︎する (suru) - to do (casual) ⚫︎実施する (じっしする - jisshi suru) - to implement, to carry out (more formal) ⚫︎執り行う (とりおこなう - toriokonau) - to conduct, to hold (especially for ceremonies and events) ⚫︎実施します (じっしします) - will implement. It is almost synonymous with 行います.

There aren't direct antonyms in the same sense as "to do." Instead, you might use words that indicate not doing, canceling, or ending an action. ⚫︎中止する (ちゅうしする - chuushi suru) - to cancel, to call off. ⚫︎やめる (yameru) - to stop, to quit.

新しいプロジェクトを行います。 ・Translation: We will carry out a new project. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the intention to start and complete a new project, using the formal and polite form.

入社式を行います。 ・Translation: We will hold the entrance ceremony. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the company will conduct an entrance ceremony for new employees, indicating a formal event.

The verb 行う (おこなう) is derived from the kanji 行 (こう, ぎょう) which has meanings related to "going," "doing," and "carrying out," combined with the verb stem and okurigana う. The etymology reflects the fundamental concept of performing an action or moving forward with a task.