Meaning of 更新
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to replace the old with new
- to renew
- to renovate
- to upgrade
- to update
- to regenerate
How to use 更新
更新 is common for software, apps, websites, information, and equipment, and it can be a verb or a noun. It also appears in formal phrases like 更新换代 (gēngxīn huàndài), meaning to replace with a newer generation. Example: 我的手机需要更新系统。 (Wǒ de shǒujī xūyào gēngxīn xìtǒng.) My phone needs a system update.
更 (gēng) means to change or replace, and 新 (xīn) means new. Put them together and you change something old into something new: you update it.
Common mistake: Learners often read 更 here as gèng, the tone used in 更加 (gèngjiā, even more). In 更新 it is first tone, gēng, because it means to change, not more.
更新 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.
更 gèng · more · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
新 xīn · new · 13 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
Related words
Words that share a character with 更新.
| 新年 | xīnnián | New Year |
| 重新 | chóngxīn | again; once more; re- |
| 新闻 | xīnwén | news |
| 更加 | gèngjiā | more (than sth else); even more |
| 创新 | chuàngxīn | to bring forth new ideas; to blaze new trails; innovation |
| 新娘 | xīnniáng | bride |
| 新鲜 | xīnxiān | fresh (experience, food etc); freshness |
| 新郎 | xīnláng | bridegroom; groom |
| 新型 | xīnxíng | new type; new kind |
| 更换 | gēnghuàn | to replace (a worn-out tire etc); to change (one's address etc) |
| 全新 | quánxīn | all new; completely new |
| 新人 | xīnrén | newcomer; new recruit; fresh talent; newlywed, esp. new bride |
Questions about 更新
What does 更新 mean?
更新 (gēngxīn) means "to replace the old with new; to renew" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 更新?
更新 is made of 2 characters: 更 (7 strokes), 新 (13 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 更新 an HSK word?
Yes. 更新 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 更新 and 重新?
更新 (gēngxīn) is a verb meaning to update or renew something. 重新 (chóngxīn) is an adverb meaning again or anew, and it goes before another verb, as in 重新开始 (chóngxīn kāishǐ, start over).
How do I say a website or blog has been updated?
You can say 网站更新了 (wǎngzhàn gēngxīn le), the website has been updated. For regular posting, people say 博主每天更新 (bózhǔ měitiān gēngxīn), the blogger updates every day.