Definitions

zhèng (adjective) straight; upright; proper; correct
zhèng (adjective) main; principal
zhèng (verb) to correct; to rectify
zhèng (adverb) exactly; just; right
zhèng (adjective) positive (in mathematics)
zhēng (noun) first month of lunar year

Etymology

Depicts a foot () going out towards city walls (). also represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "to attack (an enemy)", now written as . The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "correct".

About

The character 正 combines the top horizontal stroke 一 (a target or destination) with the bottom component 止 (a foot or walking). This originally depicted a military march straight toward a goal, conveying direct, forward movement. Over time, this directional sense evolved into abstract meanings of straightness, correctness, and righteousness, becoming an adjective for something proper, upright, or positive. The original meaning of a military campaign was later transferred to the new character 征, allowing 正 to focus on accuracy, exactness, and moral or spatial alignment.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

在吃饭。

Wǒ zhèngzài chīfàn.

I am eating.

这是确的。

Zhè shì zhèngquè de.

This is correct.

面回答。

Qǐng zhèngmiàn huídá.

Please answer directly.

时间好是三点。

Shíjiān zhènghǎo shì sān diǎn.

The time is exactly three o'clock.

在学习中文。

Tā zhèngzài xuéxí Zhōngwén.

He is studying Chinese.

当我回家时,下雨了。

Dāng wǒ zhèng huí jiā shí, xià yǔ le.

When I was going home, it started to rain.

义是社会稳定的基础。

Zhèngyì shì shèhuì wěndìng de jīchǔ.

Justice is the foundation of social stability.

他不仅确地分析了形势,还提出了面的解决方案。

Tā bùjǐn zhèngquè de fēnxīle xíngshì, hái tíchūle zhèngmiàn de jiějué fāng'àn.

He not only correctly analyzed the situation, but also proposed positive solutions.