根治

• Pinyin: gēn zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 根 = root; 治 = 氵 + 台 (to govern, to cure)

Meaning

To eradicate; to cure completely. To eliminate a problem, disease, or evil at its root.

Used for medical cures, social problems, and engineering solutions where partial treatment is insufficient. Implies a thorough, permanent fix.

Examples

1. 这种疗法可以根治慢性过敏症。 This treatment can cure chronic allergies completely.
2. 要根治腐败，必须从制度层面入手。 To eradicate corruption, we must start at the institutional level.
3. 科学家希望找到根治癌症的方法。 Scientists hope to find a way to cure cancer completely.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, governance, social policy

Tone: resolute

Do Say

• 新疗法有望根治这种遗传病。(The new therapy shows promise in completely curing this genetic disease.)
• 根治腐败需要多管齐下。(Eradicating corruption requires a multi-pronged approach.)

Don't Say

• 根治感冒 — colds have no complete cure; use 治好 or 缓解; 根治 implies permanent elimination

Origin & History

根 (root) + 治 (to cure/govern)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal