实行
shíxíng · HSK 3
put into effect
⚙️ 实 = solid/real + 行 = do/act → carry out for real
实 means solid or actual; 行 means to do or act. Together 实行 is to actually do something — put a plan into real action. Contrast with 实现 (realize a goal) where 现 = appear, vs 行 = walk/perform the steps.
行 — crossroads pictograph (left 彳 + right 亍)
行 originally pictured a four-way crossroads in oracle bone script, with two paths meeting. From 'road' it extended to 'walk, go, travel,' and then to 'a row, line' or 'business firm' (read háng). The two halves 彳 and 亍 are the split sides of that ancient crossroads.