Meaning of 革新
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to innovate
- innovation
How to use 革新
革新 is a formal word for improving or reforming methods, technology, or systems. It works as a verb or a noun and often appears in news and business writing. Example: 公司决定革新生产技术。(Gōngsī juédìng géxīn shēngchǎn jìshù.) The company decided to innovate its production technology.
革 (gé) means to change or remove, as in 改革 (gǎigé) reform, and 新 (xīn) means new. Put them together: change the old to make it new.
Common mistake: Learners often treat 革新 and 创新 (chuàngxīn) as the same. 创新 stresses creating something new, while 革新 stresses reforming something that already exists. Also keep 革 in the second tone (gé), not the fourth.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
革 gé · leather · 9 strokes
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- 2
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- 9
新 xīn · new · 13 strokes
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- 13
Related words
Words that share a character with 革新.
| 新年 | xīnnián | New Year |
| 重新 | chóngxīn | again; once more; re- |
| 新闻 | xīnwén | news |
| 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 |
| 更新 | gēngxīn | to replace the old with new; to renew |
| 改革 | gǎigé | reform; to reform |
| 全新 | quánxīn | all new; completely new |
| 新人 | xīnrén | newcomer; new recruit; fresh talent; newlywed, esp. new bride |
Questions about 革新
What does 革新 mean?
革新 (géxīn) means "to innovate; innovation" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 革新?
革新 is made of 2 characters: 革 (9 strokes), 新 (13 strokes). That is 22 strokes in total.
Is 革新 an HSK word?
Yes. 革新 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 革新 and 改革?
改革 (gǎigé) usually means large-scale reform of systems, like economic or political reform. 革新 focuses more on renewing methods, techniques, or ideas. Their uses overlap, but 改革 sounds bigger and more institutional.
Can I use 革新 in casual conversation?
It sounds fairly formal, so it is rare in daily chat. For everyday talk about new ideas, people more often say 创新 or simply 改进 (gǎijìn) to improve.