改良

• Pinyin: gǎi liáng
• Hanzi breakdown: 改 = 己 + 攴 (change, alter); 良 = 艮 (good, excellent)

Meaning

To improve; to ameliorate; to make something better through gradual modification. Often used for soil, animal breeds, systems, or methods.

Implies incremental, practical improvement rather than fundamental restructuring or revolution. Historically contrasted with 革命 (revolution) in political discourse, where 改良 represents reformist rather than radical change. Common in agriculture (soil improvement, breed improvement), science, and social reform discussions. Key collocations: 改良品种 (improve breeds), 改良土壤 (soil improvement), 品种改良 (varietal improvement), 渐进式改良 (gradual improvement).

Examples

1. 农业科研团队经过多年选育实验，成功培育出一批耐旱高产的改良品种，在干旱地区推广效果显著。 After years of breeding experiments, the agricultural research team successfully developed a batch of drought-resistant, high-yield improved varieties, with outstanding results when promoted in arid regions.
2. 这位社会活动家主张通过立法与教育推动渐进式改良，而非采取激进的变革手段。 This social activist advocates gradual reform through legislation and education rather than radical means of change.
3. 土地使用者在专业农技人员的指导下，对酸性土壤进行了系统改良，使其适宜种植更多农作物。 Under the guidance of agricultural technicians, the land user systematically improved acidic soil, making it suitable for growing more crops.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, science, social reform, politics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 科研人员通过基因技术对这一传统农作物品种进行了改良，使其产量提升了约三成。(Researchers used genetic technology to improve this traditional crop variety, increasing its yield by about thirty per cent.)
• 19世纪末，部分清朝官员力主通过制度改良来挽救积弊丛生的封建体制，但最终收效甚微。(In the late 19th century, some Qing dynasty officials strongly advocated institutional improvement to rescue the feudal system riddled with deep-rooted problems, but the results were ultimately limited.)

Don't Say

• 改良了心情 — 改良 is used for concrete systems, soil, breeds, or methods; use 改善 or 调节 for improving mood or atmosphere

Origin & History

改 (change/revise) + 良 (good/excellent)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal