Table of Contents

xiūgǎi: 修改 - To Revise, Modify, Amend

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

While 修改 (xiūgǎi) isn't a deeply philosophical term, its frequent use highlights a cultural emphasis on precision, planning, and continuous improvement, particularly in professional and academic environments. In Chinese business and education, a draft is almost always expected to be a starting point for discussion and 修改. The process of sending a document back and forth for 修改 is a standard collaborative workflow. Compared to the English word “change,” 修改 is more specific and deliberate. You might “change” your mind on a whim, but you 修改 a report after careful consideration. It carries a sense of constructive action. This contrasts with a simple, more neutral “change” (like biàn) or a fundamental transformation (改变 gǎibiàn). The expectation is that what has been 修改-ed is now better, more accurate, or more suitable for its purpose.

Practical Usage in Modern China

修改 is a high-frequency word used across many domains, generally in neutral to formal contexts.

In the Office and Academia

This is the most common context. You 修改 reports (报告), plans (计划), presentations (PPT), resumes (简历), and academic papers (论文). It's the standard verb for any kind of document editing.

In Technology and Software

In the tech world, you 修改 code (代码 dàimǎ), a program's settings (设置 shèzhì), a configuration file (配置文件 pèizhì wénjiàn), or your password (密码 mìmǎ).

On a more formal level, governments 修改 laws (法律 fǎlǜ) and constitutions (宪法 xiànfǎ). Companies and individuals 修改 contracts (合同 hétong).

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 修改 (xiūgǎi) with other words that also mean “change.”