行不通

xíngbùtōng

phrase #5,730

Meanings

Literally 'cannot go through' - an approach or plan that cannot succeed.

HSK 2

这个方法行不通。

Zhège fāngfǎ xíngbùtōng.

This method won't work.

HSK 3

在中国，这种做法是行不通的。

Zài Zhōngguó, zhèzhǒng zuòfǎ shì xíngbùtōng de.

In China, this approach is not feasible.

grammar

行不通 follows the potential complement pattern: verb + 不 + result. The positive form is 行得通 (xíngdetōng, 'feasible').

usage

Often used to reject a plan or idea: 这样行不通 (This won't work like that).

行 xíng

不 bù

通 tōng