矯正

• Reading: きょうせい
• Romaji: kyosei
• Kanji breakdown: 矯 (kyō/ta) — correct, straighten; 正 (sei/tadashi) — correct, right
• Pronunciation: /kʲoː.seː/

Meaning

Correction; the act of rectifying a fault, deviation, or criminal behaviour. Also used for orthodontic treatment and physical correction of posture or vision.

A versatile noun used in three main contexts: (1) criminal rehabilitation — 矯正施設 (correctional facility), 矯正局 (Correction Bureau within the Ministry of Justice); (2) physical or medical correction such as orthodontics (歯の矯正) or vision correction; (3) behavioural or attitudinal correction in educational settings. All senses share the core meaning of straightening or rectifying something that deviates from the correct form.

Examples

1. 矯正施設では、受刑者の社会復帰に向けた職業訓練が行われている。 Correctional facilities provide vocational training to help prisoners reintegrate into society.
2. 子どもの頃に歯の矯正をしたおかげで、噛み合わせが改善された。 Thanks to having orthodontic treatment as a child, my bite improved.
3. 問題行動のある生徒への矯正的な指導が、かえって反発を生むこともある。 Corrective guidance for students with problematic behaviour can sometimes provoke a backlash instead.

Usage Guide

Context: criminal justice, medicine, education, rehabilitation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 矯 (correct a deviation/straighten something bent) and 正 (correct/straight). The character 矯 depicts correcting something crooked, making the compound 'to straighten what is wrong or deviating.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal