Meaning of 改善
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to make better; to improve
How to use 改善
改善 is used for conditions, situations, relationships and living standards getting better. It often takes objects like 生活 (life), 环境 (environment) or 关系 (relationship). Example: 我们的生活改善了很多。(Wǒmen de shēnghuó gǎishàn le hěn duō.) Our lives have improved a lot.
改 (gǎi) means to change, and 善 (shàn) means good. Change something toward good, and you have improved it.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 改善 and 改进 (gǎijìn). 改善 is for conditions and situations, like 改善环境. 改进 is for methods, techniques or work, like 改进方法. Also, 善 is fourth tone (shàn), not third tone like 改.
改善 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
改 gǎi · to change · 7 strokes
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善 shàn · good · 12 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 改善.
| 改变 | gǎibiàn | to change; to alter |
| 修改 | xiūgǎi | to amend; to alter |
| 改造 | gǎizào | to transform; to reform |
| 改进 | gǎijìn | to improve; to make better; improvement |
| 完善 | wánshàn | (of systems, facilities etc) comprehensive; well-developed |
| 善良 | shànliáng | good and honest; kindhearted |
| 善于 | shànyú | to be good at; to be adept at |
| 改正 | gǎizhèng | to correct; to amend |
| 改革 | gǎigé | reform; to reform |
| 改装 | gǎizhuāng | to change one's costume; to repackage |
| 友善 | yǒushàn | friendly |
| 慈善 | císhàn | benevolent; charitable |
Questions about 改善
What does 改善 mean?
改善 (gǎishàn) means "to make better; to improve" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 改善?
改善 is made of 2 characters: 改 (7 strokes), 善 (12 strokes). That is 19 strokes in total.
Is 改善 an HSK word?
Yes. 改善 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can 改善 be used without an object?
Yes. It can describe something that got better by itself, as in 情况改善了 (qíngkuàng gǎishàn le), the situation has improved. It can also take an object, as in 改善条件 (gǎishàn tiáojiàn), to improve conditions.
What is the difference between 改善 and 改变?
改变 (gǎibiàn) just means to change, with no direction implied. 改善 always means a change for the better. If something got worse, you can say 改变 but not 改善.