正确 (zhèng què) — correct, right, proper

Definition

正确 (zhèngquè) means an answer, method, or fact is 'correct / right.' 不错 means 'not bad' (a mild positive judgment), not strictly correct.

adjective

correctrightproper

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

确quètrue/firm

正 (correct) and 确 (true/firm) combine to mean right and proper.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 確; 确 is its simplified writing.

石隺確

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

隺

隺hè確què

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 確 combines 石, a rock, with 隺 for its sound; the idea is something rock-solid and certain. The simplified 确 is a shorthand.

Appears in