<p>The grammar is the same for both, but 纠正 often has a stronger meaning. It is often used when a lot needs to be changed or the errors are more serious, and 改正 is often for smaller changes, when not that much needs to be changed. Also 改正 is more used when you want to correct your own errors, instead of other people's errors.</p>

<p>The are both typically used for 缺点 (shortcomings) and 错误 (errors).</p>

<p>In 《现代汉语规范词典》 I found this: "改正"是主体的自觉行为；"纠正"可以含有强制意味</p>

<p>I think 纠正 is slightly better in your sentence, since these errors need to be immediately corrected, they are probably a little bit more serious.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-28T09:54:41.903Z
Nice answer! Do you mind adding a typical example for each expression? Just to add more flavor... :D
Alenanno
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-28T11:30:26.837Z
There are some good example sentances on Nciku: see: http://www.nciku.com/search/all/examples/%E7%BA%A0%E6%AD%A3 and http://www.nciku.com/search/all/examples/%E6%94%B9%E6%AD%A3
BertR
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-28T13:46:59.943Z
It's not that I can't look for them myself, I meant that if you added them to your answer, they would increase its value. You're free not to do it, of course.
Alenanno
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-29T04:44:36.793Z
`"改正"是主体的自觉行为；"纠正"可以含有强制意味` -- that is to say, “改正” is to correct by yourself, and "纠正" can be that someone makes you to correct a mistake. For the question, I think it still needs some context, or both will be suitable.
Dante WWWW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-29T05:26:57.173Z
There are 2 aspects. "纠正"可以含有强制意味 means it has a stronger meaning. So for example for more serious problems or things that need to be fixed more urgently. But I agree, depending on the context 改正 might also be a good solution.
BertR
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-28T07:39:50.343Z
2012-03-28T07:39:50.343Z
BertR
<p>纠正 sounds more serious than 改正.</p>

<p>If the problem caused a lot of bad consequences, and maybe you were wrong since the first step, then you have to 纠正.</p>

<p>Otherwise, 改正 only means change it to the correct way. Just like "shut up" and "stop talking" in English.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-04-04T09:17:14.707Z
纠正 is serious and common to see in political texts against enemies' opinion. It sounds like if you don't correct it, you will be punished. You never 纠正 yourself.
Lenik
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-30T13:02:48.397Z
2012-03-30T13:20:11.930Z
2012-03-30T13:20:11.930Z
Jane
<p>I think the phrase "jiuzheng cuowu" means you are partly wrong, in contrast, "gaizheng cuowu" is used to express that you are totally wrong. But I think most of the time they are interchangable.</p>

<p>These two have one same character- zheng, it is the result or target of these two words. However, they have different emphasis since the "jiu" and "gai". </p>

<p>jiu:纠, it has a 纟.纟was writen as糸 in traditional chinese, it means hinged cords. Here is the link: <a href="http://dict.baidu.com/s?wd=%81L&amp;tn=dict&amp;dt=explain" rel="nofollow">http://dict.baidu.com/s?wd=%81L&amp;tn=dict&amp;dt=explain</a></p>

<p>gai:改，from the perspective of carapace-bone-script,it's left part-己,signifies a child on his or her knees, the right part signifies his or her parent stands by with a lash at hands. The whole part express that a parent taught the right way to do a thing if this child made some mistakes that a parent treats these mistakes as crucial problems. Thanks.</p>

<p>Below is a link of the carapace-bone-script or jia gu wen.Thanks</p>

<p><a href="http://bbs.iqilu.com/thread-113798-1-1.html" rel="nofollow">http://bbs.iqilu.com/thread-113798-1-1.html</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-04-06T01:38:01.373Z
2012-04-06T01:38:01.373Z
Wang Xu
<p>Both 改正 and 纠正 mean "to correct" or "to make right." </p>

<p>What is the difference between these words? Do they have different connotations? Are both words acceptable in sentences like the following?</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>错误一经发现，就应立即（改正、纠正）。<br>
  Mistakes should be corrected as soon as they are discovered.</p>
</blockquote>

<meaning><synonyms>
Are 改正 and 纠正 interchangeable?
# Are 改正 and 纠正 interchangeable?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-03-28)

Both 改正 and 纠正 mean "to correct" or "to make right."

What is the difference between these words? Do they have different connotations? Are both words acceptable in sentences like the following?

> 错误一经发现，就应立即（改正、纠正）。  
> Mistakes should be corrected as soon as they are discovered.

**Tags:** meaning, synonyms


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2012-03-28. Score: 4

The grammar is the same for both, but 纠正 often has a stronger meaning. It is often used when a lot needs to be changed or the errors are more serious, and 改正 is often for smaller changes, when not that much needs to be changed. Also 改正 is more used when you want to correct your own errors, instead of other people's errors.

The are both typically used for 缺点 (shortcomings) and 错误 (errors).

In 《现代汉语规范词典》 I found this: "改正"是主体的自觉行为；"纠正"可以含有强制意味

I think 纠正 is slightly better in your sentence, since these errors need to be immediately corrected, they are probably a little bit more serious.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Nice answer! Do you mind adding a typical example for each expression? Just to add more flavor... :D  
> **username_1**: There are some good example sentances on Nciku: see: http://www.nciku.com/search/all/examples/%E7%BA%A0%E6%AD%A3 and http://www.nciku.com/search/all/examples/%E6%94%B9%E6%AD%A3  
> **username_2**: It's not that I can't look for them myself, I meant that if you added them to your answer, they would increase its value. You're free not to do it, of course.  
> **username_3**: `"改正"是主体的自觉行为；"纠正"可以含有强制意味` -- that is to say, “改正” is to correct by yourself, and "纠正" can be that someone makes you to correct a mistake. For the question, I think it still needs some context, or both will be suitable.  
> **username_1**: There are 2 aspects. "纠正"可以含有强制意味 means it has a stronger meaning. So for example for more serious problems or things that need to be fixed more urgently. But I agree, depending on the context 改正 might also be a good solution.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2012-03-30. Score: 2

纠正 sounds more serious than 改正.

If the problem caused a lot of bad consequences, and maybe you were wrong since the first step, then you have to 纠正.

Otherwise, 改正 only means change it to the correct way. Just like "shut up" and "stop talking" in English.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: 纠正 is serious and common to see in political texts against enemies' opinion. It sounds like if you don't correct it, you will be punished. You never 纠正 yourself.  

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### Answer by username_6 on 2012-04-06. Score: 0

I think the phrase "jiuzheng cuowu" means you are partly wrong, in contrast, "gaizheng cuowu" is used to express that you are totally wrong. But I think most of the time they are interchangable.

These two have one same character- zheng, it is the result or target of these two words. However, they have different emphasis since the "jiu" and "gai".

jiu:纠, it has a 纟.纟was writen as糸 in traditional chinese, it means hinged cords. Here is the link: <http://dict.baidu.com/s?wd=%81L&tn=dict&dt=explain>

gai:改，from the perspective of carapace-bone-script,it's left part-己,signifies a child on his or her knees, the right part signifies his or her parent stands by with a lash at hands. The whole part express that a parent taught the right way to do a thing if this child made some mistakes that a parent treats these mistakes as crucial problems. Thanks.

Below is a link of the carapace-bone-script or jia gu wen.Thanks

<http://bbs.iqilu.com/thread-113798-1-1.html>


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