改 meaning and stroke order
To change; to alter; to transform
How to write 改, stroke by stroke
7 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 改
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to change
- to alter
- to transform
- to correct
How 改 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. A hand with a stick 攵 disciplining a kneeling child 己.
Radical: 攵 (to rap), shared by 36 characters on this site.
How to remember 改
On the left is 己, pictured as a kneeling child, and on the right is 攵, a hand holding a stick. The hand disciplines the child so the child will change and correct their behavior, which gives 改 (gǎi) its meaning of changing or correcting.
改 is used on its own as a verb, as in 改作业 (gǎi zuòyè, to correct homework), and it appears in many common words like 改变 (gǎibiàn, to change) and 修改 (xiūgǎi, to revise). Example: 我想改一下时间。(Wǒ xiǎng gǎi yíxià shíjiān.) I want to change the time a bit.
Common mistake: Learners often write the left side as 已 (yǐ) or 巳 (sì) instead of 己 (jǐ). In 改 the left part is 己, whose top-left stroke stays open and does not close up. Some learners also mix up 改变 (gǎibiàn) and 变 (biàn). Use 改 when someone actively changes or fixes something, and use 变 when something changes by itself.
Common words with 改
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 改变 | gǎibiàn | to change; to alter | HSK 2 |
| 修改 | xiūgǎi | to amend; to alter | HSK 3 |
| 改造 | gǎizào | to transform; to reform | HSK 3 |
| 改进 | gǎijìn | to improve; to make better; improvement | HSK 3 |
| 改善 | gǎishàn | to make better; to improve | HSK 4 |
| 改正 | gǎizhèng | to correct; to amend | HSK 4 |
| 改革 | gǎigé | reform; to reform | HSK 5 |
| 改装 | gǎizhuāng | to change one's costume; to repackage | HSK 6 |
| 改编 | gǎibiān | to adapt; to rearrange | HSK 7-9 |
| 更改 | gēnggǎi | to alter | HSK 7-9 |
| 改名 | gǎimíng | to rename | HSK 7-9 |
| 改动 | gǎidòng | to alter; to modify | HSK 7-9 |
| 改为 | gǎiwéi | to change into | HSK 7-9 |
| 改良 | gǎiliáng | to improve (sth); to refine; to reform (a system) | HSK 7-9 |
改 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 改
How many strokes are in 改?
改 is written with 7 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 改 mean?
改 (gǎi) means to change; to alter; to transform. A common word with it is 改变 (gǎibiàn), meaning "to change; to alter".
How do you pronounce 改?
改 is pronounced gǎi, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 改?
The radical of 改 is 攵, which carries the idea of "to rap". Dictionaries list 改 under this radical.
Is 改 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 改 is part of the HSK 2 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
What is the difference between 改变, 改进 and 改善?
改变 (gǎibiàn) is a neutral change of any kind. 改进 (gǎijìn) means improving methods or work, and 改善 (gǎishàn) means improving conditions such as life, relationships or the environment.
How do you say 'correct a mistake' with 改?
Say 改错 (gǎi cuò) or 改正错误 (gǎizhèng cuòwù). A common phrase is 知错就改 (zhī cuò jiù gǎi), which means to correct a mistake as soon as you realize it.