Correct
改正 vs 纠正
/ gǎizhèng vs jiūzhèng /
Strokes
Formula
1
改正错别字 (correct the misspelled words)
2
改正不良习惯 (correct the bad habits)
3
加以改正（纠正）
4
得到改正（纠正）
5
改正（纠正）过来
Definition
改正 and 纠正 both are Verb, which means [correct; put right; rectify].
Example
改正 is used more often than 纠正. 纠正 is more literary, mostly applied to more important things,e.g.deviation in thinking, line, etc. It can also be applied to concrete defects, mistakes, methods, etc. e.g.
In the examples above, 改正 is more suitable in examples ① ② and 纠正 is more suitable in examples ③ ④ ⑤.
改正错别字 (correct the misspelled words)
改正不良习惯 (correct the bad habits)
1
Tā
他
bǎ
把
wénzhāng
文章
zhōng
中
de
的
cuòzì
错字
gǎizhèng
改正
le
了
。
He has corrected the incorrect words in his article.
2
Háizi
孩子
dà
大
le
了
,
shǔn
吮
zhǐtou
指头
de
的
xíguàn
习惯
yīnggāi
应该
gǎizhèng
改正
le
了
。
The child is old enough now,and he should give up the habit of sucking his thumb.
3
Shèhuì
社会
shàng
上
de
的
bùzhēngzhīfēng
不正之风
,
bìxū
必须
jiūzhèng
纠正
。
We must rectify the corrupt practices of the society.
4
Duì
对
wéizhāng
违章
jiàshǐ
驾驶
,
jiāojǐng
交警
bìxū
必须
jiāyǐ
加以
jiūzhèng
纠正
,
bìng
并
jíshí
及时
zuōchū
作出
fákuǎn
罚款
děng
等
chǔlǐ
处理
。
The traffic policeman should criticize violating drivers and fine them in time.
5
Hànyǔ
汉语
lǎoshī
老师
rènzhēn
认真
dì
地
gěi
给
xuésheng
学生
jiūzhèng
纠正
fāyīn
发音
。
The chinese teacher corrected the students' pronunciation earnestly.
改正 and 纠正, both words can be preceded by 加以.
Usually, 改正 is applied to oneself while 纠正 to others, though this rule is not absolute.
加以改正（纠正）
得到改正（纠正）
改正（纠正）过来
6
Cuòwù
错误
de
的
chǔlǐ
处理
yǐjīng
已经
dédào
得到
gǎizhèng
改正
(
jiūzhèng
纠正
)
。
The improper disposal has been corrected.
7
Lǎoshī
老师
ràng
让
tā
他
bǎ
把
bù
不
zhèngquè
正确
de
的
zuòzī
坐姿
gǎizhèng
改正
(
jiūzhèng
纠正
)
guòlái
过来
。
The teacher asked him to correct his bad sitting posture.
8
Zhèzhǒng
这种
gēnshēndìgù
根深蒂固
de
的
huài
坏
xíguàn
习惯
,
yǐjīng
已经
hěn
很
nán
难
gǎizhèng
改正
(
jiūzhèng
纠正
)
guòlái
过来
le
了
。
It is difficult for him to correct his bad deep-noted habits.
In one sentence; however, 改正 and 纠正 can be used respectively, to differentiate oneself from other people to avoid repetition.
9
Biéren
别人
de
的
cuòwù
错误
,
róngyì
容易
jiāyǐ
加以
jiūzhèng
纠正
;
zìjǐ
自己
de
的
quēdiǎn
缺点
,
yěxǔ
也许
dǎo
倒
bù
不
róngyì
容易
gǎizhèng
改正
。
It may be easy to correct others' mistakes; while it may be difficult to correct your own ones.