How to say "conduct" in Japanese

• 行動こうどうJLPT N3approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers 'conduct' in the sense of actions and behavior—what someone actually does. Use it when discussing a person's conduct in terms of their deeds, e.g. whether their actions were appropriate or not.
  彼かれは友人ゆうじんの行動こうどうに憤慨ふんがいした。↗

  He resented his friend's action.
• 行為こういJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRefers to an individual act or deed, often viewed as an discrete piece of conduct, sometimes with a judgmental nuance. Suitable when 'conduct' means a specific act, especially one that can be praised or condemned.
  彼かれは自分じぶんの行為こういを正当化せいとうかしようとしている。↗

  He is trying to justify his act.
• 挙動きょどうCommon
  nounCovers 'conduct' as outward behavior or bearing—how someone moves and comports themselves. Typically used for observing a person's demeanor, such as suspicious or nervous conduct.
  警察けいさつは山田やまだの挙動きょどうを注視ちゅうししている。↗

  The police are closely watching Yamada's behaviour.
• 振る舞いふるまいCommon
  nounRefers to conduct or behavior as the way a person acts toward others, often in social settings. Use it for 'conduct' meaning one's manner of behaving, such as polite or gracious behavior.
  よくもまあ、そんな振舞ふるまいができるもんだ。↗

  How dare you behave like that!
• 営むいとなむJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbMatches the verb sense of 'conduct': to run or carry on a business, or to practice a profession such as law or medicine. It is not used for a person's conduct or behavior—that is what the noun-like words above cover.
  その島しまには漁業ぎょぎょうを営いとなむ人ひとたちが住すんでいた。↗

  The island was inhabited by a fishing people.

Use 行動 or 行為 for a person's actions or deeds, 「振る舞い」 or 挙動 for behavior and bearing, and 「営む」 only for the verb sense of conducting a business or profession.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 行動こうどうaction
• 行為こういact
• 挙動きょどうconduct
• 振る舞いふるまいbehavior
• 営むいとなむto run (a business)
• 所作しょさconduct
• 素行そこうbehaviour
• 行状ぎょうじょうbehavior
• 導くみちびくto guide
• 執行しっこうexecution
• 所業しょぎょうact (usu. undesirable)
• 身持ちみもちconduct
• コンダクトconduct
• 操行そうこうconduct
• 勤め振りつとめぶりassiduity
• 品行ひんこう(moral) conduct
• 通すとおすto transmit (e.g. light, sound, etc.)
• 行いおこないconduct
• 施すほどこすto do
• 進退しんたいcourse of action
• 真似まねbehavior
• 修するしゅうするto conduct (a Buddhist service)
• 挙げるあげるto hold (an event, ceremony, etc.)