整顿

• Pinyin: zhěng dùn
• Hanzi breakdown: 整 = 束 (bundle) + 攵 (action) + 正 (correct); 顿 = 屯 (village) + 页 (head/page)

Meaning

To rectify; to reorganize and put in order; to consolidate.

Refers to reorganizing, reforming, or bringing order to something that has become disorganized or problematic. Often used in official contexts for government reforms, corporate restructuring, or disciplinary actions. Implies systematic improvement.

Examples

1. 政府决定整顿房地产市场的乱象，出台了多项新规。 The government decided to rectify the chaos in the real estate market and issued multiple new regulations.
2. 新领导上任后，立即开始整顿公司的管理制度。 After the new leader took office, they immediately began to reorganize the company's management system.
3. 这次行业整顿让不少违规企业被淘汰出局。 This industry rectification has eliminated quite a few companies that violated regulations.

Usage Guide

Context: government, business, reform

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 是时候整顿一下工作流程了。(It's time to reorganize the work processes.)
• 监管部门正在整顿这个行业。(The regulatory authorities are rectifying this industry.)

Don't Say

• 我要整顿我的午餐。(Too formal — use 准备 or 整理 for preparing lunch)

Origin & History

Compound of 整 (whole, complete, orderly) and 顿 (arrange, pause). Together they mean to arrange and put in complete order.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal