调整 (tiáo zhěng) — to adjust | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

调整 is the general verb 'to adjust' — plans, attitudes, schedules, or systems. Compared with 调 (tiáo), it's broader: 调 focuses on tuning devices or harmonizing relationships, while 调整 covers any kind of modification.

verb

to adjust

Measure word · 个

Examples

调整。
Wǒ xū yào tiáo zhěng yí xià gōng zuò shí jiān.
I need to adjust my work hours.
调整。
Gōng sī zhèng zài tiáo zhěng shēng chǎn jì huà.
The company is adjusting its production plan.
调整。
Nǐ zuì hǎo tiáo zhěng yí xià xīn tài.
You'd better adjust your mindset.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

整zhěngmake orderly

调 gives tuning, and 整 gives making orderly; together they mean setting something 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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 調; 调 is its simplified writing.

言周調

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

周

周zhōu調tiáo

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

The traditional form 調 pairs 言 (speech) with 周, which shows how it was pronounced. The simplified 调 is a later shorthand.

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

敕正整

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

正

正zhèng整zhěng

Same sound today

整 pairs 敕 as the meaning side with 正 as the sound side.

Appears in

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