Definitions

jiǎo (verb) to correct; to rectify
jiǎo (verb) to pretend; to feign
jiáo (adjective) argumentative; contentious

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 矫, whose traditional form is 矯, structurally combines the radical 矢 meaning "arrow" with the component 喬, which suggests bending or height, an etymology that initially conveyed the act of straightening or correcting arrows, leading to core meanings like "to rectify". From this basis, the character's semantic range expanded over time to encompass notions of affectation or pretense, as in the term 矫饰, while also developing connotations of physical vigor, evident in words such as 矫健. In the simplified form 矫, the component 乔 replaces 喬, maintaining the character's fundamental structural relationship to its original components.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

医生正了他的牙齿。

Yīshēng jiǎozhèngle tā de yáchǐ.

The dentist corrected his teeth.

老师正了学生的错误。

Lǎoshī jiǎozhèngle xuéshēng de cuòwù.

The teacher corrected the student's mistake.

他走路步伐健。

Tā zǒulù bùfá jiǎojiàn.

He walks with vigorous steps.

她说话有点情。

Tā shuōhuà yǒudiǎn jiǎoqíng.

She speaks a bit affectedly.

正视力需要配眼镜。

Jiǎozhèng shìlì xūyào pèi yǎnjìng.

Correcting vision requires wearing glasses.

他的健身姿令人羡慕。

Tā de jiǎojiàn shēnzī lìng rén xiànmù.

His vigorous physique is enviable.

治不良习惯需要时间。

Jiǎozhì bùliáng xíguàn xūyào shíjiān.

Correcting bad habits takes time.

饰的情感无法打动人心。

Jiǎoshì de qínggǎn wúfǎ dǎdòng rénxīn.

Affected emotions cannot move people.