correct; right; accurate
HSK level
正确 is written with 17 strokes (正: 5, 确: 12). The animation replays automatically.
正确 (zhèngquè) is an adjective meaning 'correct,' 'right,' or 'accurate' in the sense of conforming to fact, rule, or truth.
It describes answers, methods, decisions, viewpoints, and pronunciation — anything that can be judged right or wrong against a standard. Unlike the casual English 'right,' 正确 is not used to agree in conversation; for that Chinese uses 对. English speakers often overuse 正确 where a native speaker would just say 对了 or 没错.
正确 carries a whiff of formality and objectivity, so it fits exams, reports, and moral or political judgments ('the correct path,' 正确的道路'). Its opposite is 错误 (wrong). Note it modifies nouns directly (正确答案, 'correct answer') and can also work as a predicate: 你的想法很正确.
Note: Slightly more formal and precise than casual 对. Common in written exams, instructions, and evaluations; in everyday speech people usually just say 对 or 没错.
Character by character
Memory hook: 正 (upright/proper) + 确 (certain) = properly certain, i.e. correct.
你的答案完全正确。
Nǐ de dá'àn wánquán zhèngquè.
Your answer is completely correct.
neutral
请选出正确的一项。
Qǐng xuǎn chū zhèngquè de yī xiàng.
Please choose the correct option.
written
我觉得这是一个正确的决定。
Wǒ juéde zhè shì yí ge zhèngquè de juédìng.
I think this is the right decision.
neutral
老师说我的发音不太正确。
Lǎoshī shuō wǒ de fāyīn bú tài zhèngquè.
The teacher said my pronunciation isn't quite right.
spoken
对 is the everyday, spoken 'right/correct' and is used to agree with someone (你说得对). 正确 is more formal and objective — you'd write 正确答案 but say 你说得对 in conversation.
准确 stresses precision and exactness (accurate figures, precise aim). 正确 stresses conformity to what is right. A measurement can be 准确; a moral choice is 正确.
Acquire it by listening
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