行不通

xíngbùtōng

phrase #5,730

Meanings

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

这个方法行不通。

Zhège fāngfǎ xíngbùtōng.

This method won't work.

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