wéixiū: 维修 - To Repair, To Maintain, Maintenance

• Keywords: 维修, weixiu, Chinese for repair, Chinese for maintenance, fix in Chinese, service in Chinese, car repair, phone repair, building maintenance, technical service, Chinese HSK 4
• Summary: 维修 (wéixiū) is the essential Chinese word for “repair” and “maintenance.” Whether you need to fix a broken phone, service your car, or see a notice about elevator maintenance, 维修 is the term you'll encounter. It's a practical, everyday word that covers both fixing something that's broken and the ongoing work required to keep machines, electronics, and infrastructure in working order. Understanding 维修 is crucial for navigating daily life and commerce in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wéi xiū
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To maintain and repair something to restore or preserve its function.
• In a Nutshell: 维修 is your go-to, standard term for fixing things, especially anything mechanical, electronic, or structural. Think of the sign on a repair shop (维修店), the “service” department of a company, or what you'd tell a friend about your broken-down car. It carries a professional, technical connotation and combines the ideas of “maintaining” something's condition and “repairing” its faults.

• 维 (wéi): This character's original meaning relates to tying, binding, or holding things together. Think of it as the “maintenance” aspect – preserving the integrity and structure of something, keeping it all connected and in one piece.
• 修 (xiū): This character means to repair, to fix, to mend, or even to build or decorate. It represents the active “fixing” part of the word—the action of correcting a fault or improving something's condition.
• Combined Meaning: The combination is very logical: 维 (to maintain) + 修 (to fix) = 维修 (to maintain and repair). It perfectly captures the dual nature of keeping something functional, covering both preventative upkeep and fixing what's broken.

While 维修 is a highly practical term, its prevalence speaks to modern Chinese culture. In bustling cities, you'll see countless small `维修店 (wéixiū diàn)`—repair shops—for everything from smartphones to electric scooters and home appliances. This reflects a practical mindset of fixing and extending the life of objects, a value that persists alongside a growing consumer culture. A helpful comparison for English speakers is the distinction between “repair” and “maintenance.”

• Repair: Usually means fixing something after it has broken.
• Maintenance: Usually means preventative service to stop something from breaking.

`维修` conveniently covers both concepts. A sign that reads `电梯维修中 (diàntī wéixiū zhōng)` could mean the elevator is broken and being fixed, or that it's undergoing scheduled maintenance. The context usually clarifies which it is. For example, `定期维修 (dìngqī wéixiū)` is clearly “scheduled maintenance,” while `紧急维修 (jǐnjí wéixiū)` is “emergency repair.” This all-in-one term is efficient and reflects a holistic view of an object's lifecycle: it's not just about the one-time fix, but the continuous effort of keeping it running.

`维修` is a high-frequency word used in a wide range of contexts, from casual conversation to formal contracts.

• Daily Life: You'll use this term when any of your belongings break. “My air conditioner is broken, I need to call someone for a repair.” (`我的空调坏了，要找人来维修。`) The person who comes is a `维修师傅 (wéixiū shīfu)` or `维修工 (wéixiū gōng)`.
• Commercial/Business: The term `售后维修 (shòuhòu wéixiū)`, or “after-sales repair service,” is a critical part of any product warranty or service agreement in China.
• Public Notices: It's extremely common to see signs in public spaces like subway stations, malls, and residential buildings. `道路维修 (dàolù wéixiū)` means “road maintenance/repair,” and `暂停服务，正在维修 (zàntíng fúwù, zhèngzài wéixiū)` means “service suspended, currently under repair.”
• As a Noun: `维修` can also act as a noun. You might ask, `这次的维修要多少钱？ (Zhè cì de wéixiū yào duōshǎo qián?)` - “How much will this repair cost?”

The term is neutral in connotation and standard in formality, making it safe to use in almost any situation requiring a repair.

• Example 1:
  • 我的电脑坏了，需要维修。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de diànnǎo huài le, xūyào wéixiū.
  • English: My computer is broken and needs to be repaired.
  • Analysis: A classic, simple use of `维修` as a verb for a common problem.
• Example 2:
  • 这家店提供专业的手机维修服务。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā diàn tígōng zhuānyè de shǒujī wéixiū fúwù.
  • English: This shop provides professional mobile phone repair services.
  • Analysis: Here, `维修` is used as a noun, part of the compound “repair service” (`维修服务`).
• Example 3:
  • 电梯维修中，请走楼梯。
  • Pinyin: Diàntī wéixiū zhōng, qǐng zǒu lóutī.
  • English: The elevator is under maintenance/repair, please take the stairs.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates `维修中 (wéixiū zhōng)`, a common phrase on public signs meaning “in the process of repair.”
• Example 4:
  • 维修费用是谁来承担？
  • Pinyin: Wéixiū fèiyòng shì shéi lái chéngdān?
  • English: Who is responsible for the repair costs?
  • Analysis: `维修` acts as a noun modifier for `费用 (fèiyòng)`, creating the specific term “repair cost.”
• Example 5:
  • 我们公司有专门的维修部门。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu zhuānmén de wéixiū bùmén.
  • English: Our company has a dedicated maintenance department.
  • Analysis: Shows its use in a corporate or organizational context.
• Example 6:
  • 他是一名经验丰富的汽车维修工。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yī míng jīngyàn fēngfù de qìchē wéixiū gōng.
  • English: He is an experienced car mechanic (repair worker).
  • Analysis: `维修` is used to specify the type of worker (`工`).
• Example 7:
  • 这座古桥正在进行大规模的维修。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔ qiáo zhèngzài jìnxíng dà guīmó de wéixiū.
  • English: This ancient bridge is undergoing large-scale restoration.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates that `维修` can be used for large, structural projects, not just small appliances.
• Example 8:
  • 所有产品都享有一年的免费维修。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu chǎnpǐn dōu xiǎngyǒu yī nián de miǎnfèi wéixiū.
  • English: All products come with one year of free repairs.
  • Analysis: A common phrase related to warranties and after-sales service (`售后服务`).
• Example 9:
  • 由于系统维修，网站将于午夜关闭一小时。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú xìtǒng wéixiū, wǎngzhàn jiāng yú wǔyè guānbì yī xiǎoshí.
  • English: Due to system maintenance, the website will be down for one hour at midnight.
  • Analysis: This highlights its use in the digital and IT world for “system maintenance.”
• Example 10:
  • 我得找个维修师傅来看看我家的洗衣机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ děi zhǎo ge wéixiū shīfu lái kànkan wǒ jiā de xǐyījī.
  • English: I have to find a repairman to take a look at my washing machine.
  • Analysis: `维修师傅 (wéixiū shīfu)` is a very common and polite way to refer to a repair technician.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `维修` and its close synonym, `修理 (xiūlǐ)`.

• 维修 (wéixiū) vs. 修理 (xiūlǐ):
  • `维修` is more formal and technical. It's the standard term for contracts, official notices, and complex machinery (cars, computers, elevators, infrastructure). It implies both maintenance and repair.
  • `修理` is more colloquial and common in everyday speech. It usually refers to a simple, one-time fix for a less complex item. You would `修理` a broken chair, a leaky pipe, or a toy.
• Examples of correct distinction:
  • `我爸爸正在修理桌子。` (Wǒ bàba zhèngzài xiūlǐ zhuōzi.) - My dad is fixing the table. (Natural and common)
  • `这台服务器需要专业人员来维修。` (Zhè tái fúwùqì xūyào zhuānyè rényuán lái wéixiū.) - This server needs a professional to repair it. (Technical and formal)
  • Mistake: Saying `我爸爸正在维修桌子` is grammatically correct but sounds overly formal and strange, as if the table were a complex piece of machinery.
• Don't use for abstract concepts: You cannot `维修` a relationship or a mistake. For fixing a relationship, you would use `修复关系 (xiūfù guānxì)`. For correcting an error, you would use `改正错误 (gǎizhèng cuòwù)`. `维修` is reserved for physical or electronic objects and systems.

• 修理 (xiūlǐ) - A more colloquial synonym for “to fix” or “to repair,” typically used for simpler jobs.
• 保养 (bǎoyǎng) - To maintain (in a preventative sense). Used for car maintenance, skincare, or general upkeep to prevent issues.
• 维修工 (wéixiū gōng) - Repair worker, mechanic. A general term for a technician.
• 维修师傅 (wéixiū shīfu) - A more polite and common way to say “repairman” or “master technician.”
• 售后服务 (shòuhòu fúwù) - After-sales service. A broad category that almost always includes a `维修` plan.
• 故障 (gùzhàng) - A fault, glitch, malfunction, or breakdown. This is the reason you need `维修`.
• 检修 (jiǎnxiū) - To inspect and repair, to overhaul. This implies a thorough check is part of the repair process.
• 安装 (ānzhuāng) - To install. Often, the same company or person that does `安装` will also provide `维修` services.
• 修补 (xiūbǔ) - To mend or to patch. Suggests a smaller-scale fix, like patching a tire or mending a hole in a wall.