改 gǎi — change, correct · English

改

gǎi

change, correct

At a glance · 改

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

改字小篆从攴从己，会意为以杖改己，本义为更改、改正。甲骨文未见。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

改本义为改变、改正。

Structure

会意字，从攴（击）从己（自身），表示改过。

At a glance

Pinyingǎi

Radical攵

Strokes7

UnicodeU+6539

Character type会意

Theme动作

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English change, correct Gai is an associative character of striking and self, meaning to change and correct.

Français changer, corriger Gai est un caractère associatif de frapper et soi, signifiant changer et corriger.

Español cambiar, corregir Gai es un carácter asociativo de golpear y uno mismo, significa cambiar y corregir.

العربية يغيّر، يصحّح غاي حرف تركيبي للضرب والنفس، يعني التغيير والتصحيح.

Русский менять, исправлять Гай — ассоциативный знак удара и себя, означает менять и исправлять.

Common words

改变gǎi biànchange
改正gǎi zhèngcorrect

◉ Listen