Definition
正 (zhèng) has two main uses: an adverb meaning 'exactly, just' (for precise times/places) and an adjective meaning 'straight/upright' or 'main/principal'. As 'straight', it differs from 直 (zhí) (physical straightness of a line) — 正 stresses being upright and not crooked. As 'main', 正 appears in fixed expressions like 正门 (main door), while 主要 (zhǔ yào) is a general adjective for 'main, primary'.
adverb
exactlyjust (at that time or place)
adjective
straightnot crookedmainprincipal
Easily confused
- 步bùlook-alike(noun) step (in walking), pace
- 整zhěngsound-alikewhole, entire, complete
- 肯kěnlook-aliketo be willing to; to consent
- 证zhèngsound-alikecertificate, ID card
- 扯chělook-aliketo pull, to tug
- 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
- 。Xiànzài zhèng shì bā diǎn.Now it's exactly eight o'clock.
- 。Zhè shì zhèng mén.This is the main door.
- 正。Wǒ zhèng chīfàn ne.I am just eating.
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