正版 (zhèng bǎn) — licensed copy; original version (of software, m… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

正版 is a noun for a licensed/authorized copy of software, books, or media — the legal counterpart to 盗版 (pirated copy). Often contrasted with 合法, which describes actions or things permitted by law in general.

noun

licensed copyoriginal version (of software, media, books, etc.)

Examples

正版。
Wǒ mǎi de shì zhè kuǎn yóu xì de zhèng bǎn.
I bought the licensed version of this game.
正版。
zhèng bǎn De shū jí zhì liàng bǐ dào bǎn de hǎo hěn duō.
Licensed books are much better in quality than pirated ones.
，正版。
Wèi le zhī chí chuàng zuò zhě, jiàn yì gòu mǎi zhèng bǎn.
To support creators, it's recommended to buy licensed copies.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

正zhènggenuine

版bǎnedition

正 means genuine and 版 means edition, so 正版 is an original licensed edition.

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

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.

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

片反版

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

反

反fǎn版bǎn

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

版 is formed by 片 and 反, with 片 contributing the sense and 反 the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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