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更正 (gēng zhèng) — to correct (a mistake, error, or inaccuracy)

Definition

更正 (gēng zhèng) is a formal, written verb for officially correcting a published statement or document. It is more formal than 改正 (amend, general use) and more neutral than 纠正 (rectify, often errors of conduct or doctrine).

verb
to correct (a mistake, error, or inaccuracy)

Examples

  • 更正。
    Qǐng gēng zhèng yí xià zhè ge dì zhǐ.
    Please correct this address.
  • 更正。
    Tā lì kè gēng zhèng le gāng cái de shuō fǎ.
    He immediately corrected what he had just said.
  • 更正。
    Wǒ xū yào gēng zhèng hé tong lǐ de cuò wù shù zì.
    I need to correct the wrong numbers in the contract.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

更gèngalter
正zhèngcorrect

更 is to alter, and 正 is right or correct, so the sense is to alter something until it is right.

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pūhand holding a whip; action
Sound part声符shēngfú
𰀒
𰀒𰀒更gēng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The old form showed two chariots, 𰀒; 攴, a hand holding a whip, was added to show action, and one chariot part was dropped. The remaining part changed into the shape seen in 更.

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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 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Change & Process

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