Definition
整 (zhěng) as an adjective means 'whole, entire' when placed before a noun (e.g., 整晚 'the whole night') — it emphasizes the completeness of a single unit, whereas 全 (quán) is broader ('all of something') and 整个 (zhěng gè) is used for a specific whole entity. As 'orderly', 整 is less common alone; 有序 (yǒu xù) is the formal written term for 'in order'.
adjective
wholeentirecompletein orderorderly
Easily confused
- 嫩nènlook-aliketender (of food, vegetables, meat, etc.)
- 正zhèngsound-alike(adverb) exactly, just (at that time or place)
- 证zhèngsound-alikecertificate, ID card
- 挣zhèngsound-aliketo earn (money)
- 睁zhēngsound-aliketo open (one's eyes)
- 争zhēngsound-aliketo contend / to strive for / to vie for
- 征zhēngsound-aliketo recruit (personnel)
- 蒸zhēngsound-aliketo steam (food)
Examples
- 整。Tā zhěng wǎn dōu zài gōngzuò.He worked the whole night.
- 整。zhěng běn shū wǒ dōu kàn wán le.I've finished the entire book.
- 。zhěng gè chéngshì dōu hěn ānjìng.The whole city is very quiet.
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