正确

• Pinyin: zhèng què
• Hanzi breakdown: 正 = 一 (one) + 止 (stop), meaning 'correct'; 确 = 石 (stone) + 角 (horn), meaning 'certain'

Meaning

Correct; right; accurate. Describing something that is free from error.

Used for answers, methods, decisions, attitudes, and directions. More formal than 对. Often appears in educational and professional contexts. The opposite is 错误 (incorrect).

Examples

1. 你的回答是正确的。 Your answer is correct.
2. 请选择正确的答案。 Please choose the correct answer.
3. 我们要学会正确地使用这个词。 We need to learn to use this word correctly.

Usage Guide

Context: study, work

Tone: informational

Do Say

• 这个答案是正确的。(This answer is correct.)
• 你做了正确的选择。(You made the right choice.)

Don't Say

• 你说得很正确。(While not wrong, 正确 sounds overly formal in casual speech — use 你说得对 in daily conversation.)

Origin & History

Compound of 正 (correct/proper) and 确 (certain/sure), reinforcing the idea of being right.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal