Meaning of 正
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- straight
- upright
- proper
- main
- principal
- to correct
- to rectify
- exactly
- first month of the lunar year
How to use 正
正 (zhèng) often works as an adverb meaning "just" or "right now", especially in 正在 (zhèngzài) for actions in progress. It also means correct or proper in words like 正确 (zhèngquè) and 正常 (zhèngcháng). Example: 我正在吃饭。(Wǒ zhèngzài chīfàn.) I am eating right now.
正 looks like a foot 止 (zhǐ) stopping right under a top line, as if you have walked straight to the exact line and halted. Think of it as standing upright and in exactly the right place.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 正 with 止 (zhǐ, to stop), which lacks the top horizontal stroke. Another trap is reading 正月 as zhèngyuè. In the lunar month name it is pronounced zhēngyuè, with first tone.
正 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.
正 zhèng · straight · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 正.
| 正在 | zhèngzài | to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing |
| 真正 | zhēnzhèng | genuine; real; true; really; indeed |
| 正常 | zhèngcháng | normal; regular |
| 正确 | zhèngquè | correct; sound; right; proper |
| 正是 | zhèngshì | is precisely |
| 正好 | zhènghǎo | just (in time); just right |
| 反正 | fǎnzhèng | anyway; in any case |
| 正式 | zhèngshì | formal; official |
| 改正 | gǎizhèng | to correct; to amend |
| 正如 | zhèngrú | just as; precisely as |
| 正义 | zhèngyì | justice; righteousness; just; righteous |
| 公正 | gōngzhèng | just; fair; equitable |
Questions about 正
What does 正 mean?
正 (zhèng) means "straight; upright" and is used as a adverb and adjective.
How do you write 正?
正 is made of 1 character: 正 (5 strokes). That is 5 strokes in total.
Is 正 an HSK word?
Yes. 正 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 正在 and 在 for actions in progress?
Both mark an ongoing action, as in 他在看书 and 他正在看书. 正在 puts more stress on the action happening at this exact moment. It is a little stronger than plain 在.
How do you use 正好 in a sentence?
正好 (zhènghǎo) means something fits just right or happens at just the right time. For example, 你来得正好。(Nǐ lái de zhènghǎo.) means "You came at just the right time." It can also describe size, like 这件衣服正好 (this piece of clothing fits perfectly).