改 (gǎi) — to change, to alter; to correct (mistakes, homework, etc.)
Definition
改 is a basic, everyday verb covering both 'to change/alter' and 'to correct' (homework, mistakes). 改变 is a more formal synonym for 'change'; 更改/改动/变更 are all written-formal alternatives. Negate with 没改, not 不改.
verb
to changeto alterto correct (mistakes, homework, etc.)
Easily confused
Examples
- 改。Lǎo shī zhèng zài gǎi zuò yè.The teacher is correcting homework.
- 改？Nǐ néng bù néng gǎi yí xià zhè ge shí jiān?Can you change this time a little?
- 。Nǐ bì xū gǎi diào zhè ge huài xí guàn.You must get rid of this bad habit.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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.
Appears in
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