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改正 (gǎi zhèng) — to correct, to amend

Definition

改正 is to correct an error, mistake, or fault — fixing what is wrong. Sharper and more focused on mistakes than 修改 (broader 'revise'), and milder than 纠正 (more forceful 'rectify').

verb
to correctto amend
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 改正。
    Tā gǎi zhèng le zì jǐ de cuò wù.
    He corrected his own mistake.
  • 改正。
    Nǐ yīng gāi gǎi zhèng zhè ge quē diǎn.
    You should correct this shortcoming.
  • 改正。
    Zhè ge wèn tí kě yǐ gǎi zhèng guò lái.
    This problem can be corrected.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

改gǎichange
正zhèngcorrect

改 means change and 正 means correct, so 改正 is to change something until it is correct.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攴攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì改gǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

An early form of 改 paired 巳 as a sound part with 攴 as a meaning part; the sound part later changed.

Open 改 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
止止zhǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng正zhèng
Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Open 正 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Change & Process

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