完善

• Pinyin: wán shàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 完 = 宀 (roof) + 元 (origin); 善 = 羊 (sheep) + 口口 (two mouths) — goodness, as sheep were symbols of gentleness

Meaning

To perfect; to improve; well-developed. Describes making something more thorough or bringing it to a better state.

More formal than 完美 and typically used for systems, plans, laws, or processes rather than physical objects. As an adjective, it means 'well-developed' or 'comprehensive'; as a verb, it means 'to refine' or 'to improve'.

Examples

1. 公司正在完善管理制度。 The company is improving its management system.
2. 这个方案还不够完善，需要修改。 This plan is not yet thorough enough and needs revision.
3. 城市的交通系统越来越完善了。 The city's transportation system is becoming more and more well-developed.

Usage Guide

Context: business, government, academic

Tone: constructive

Do Say

• 我们需要完善这个计划。(We need to improve this plan.)
• 法律制度越来越完善。(The legal system is becoming more and more complete.)

Don't Say

• 你今天看起来很完善。(Don't use 完善 to describe people's appearance — it is used for systems and plans. Use 好看 or 漂亮 for appearance.)

Origin & History

完 means 'complete' and 善 means 'good' or 'virtuous'. Together they describe the state of being well-developed or the act of making something thoroughly good.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal