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March 24, 2026
正经(正經)zhèngjing(zheng4jing5)
正经 (zhèng jīng) refers to a quality of being proper, serious, or decent, often associated with behavior or attitudes that conform to social standards. It is commonly used to describe someone who is earnest or to indicate that something is legitimate and not frivolous.
Frequency#5033DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 正经 is highly valued, especially in professional settings. It reflects a person's integrity and seriousness, which are essential traits in maintaining respect and relationships.
Memory Tip
Think of 正 (zhèng) as resembling the character for 'correct' or 'right', and 经 (jīng) as if it means 'to pass through'. Imagine a serious person navigating through life with a 'correct' and 'proper' approach, ensuring they 'pass through' situations honorably.
Meanings of 正经
zhèngjing(zheng4jing5)
1decent
2honorable
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 正经
正经Simplified
正經Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#5033Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 正经
Podcast: 正经
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AI Study Notes for 正经
Quick Contrast
正经 (zhèngjing) vs 认真 (rènzhēn) — use 正经 for describing proper behavior or seriousness in a social context, while 认真 emphasizes diligence or conscientiousness in tasks.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 正 (zhèng) as resembling the character for 'correct' or 'right', and 经 (jīng) as if it means 'to pass through'. Imagine a serious person navigating through life with a 'correct' and 'proper' approach, ensuring they 'pass through' situations honorably.
Usage Notes
正经 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's crucial to use it appropriately to avoid sounding overly stiff. Common collocations include 正经事 (serious matter) and 正经人 (decent person). Be mindful of the tone; using it in a light-hearted context might come off as sarcastic.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 正经 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to character and behavior, such as 认真 (rèn zhēn, serious) and 诚实 (chéng shí, honest). Focus on using it in sentences to describe behaviors or attitudes in different contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 正经 is highly valued, especially in professional settings. It reflects a person's integrity and seriousness, which are essential traits in maintaining respect and relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 正经 with similar-sounding terms. For example, saying '他不正经' (tā bù zhèng jīng) to mean 'he is not serious' may imply he is frivolous, which could be too strong; instead, consider using '他不认真' (tā bù rèn zhēn) for 'he is not serious' in a softer context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 正经
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Grammar Patterns of 正经
正经 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他一本____地宣称“国际政治是一场权力之争”。
He grandly declared that "international politics is a struggle for power".
Example Sentences for 正经 (10)
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1
他一本正经地宣称“国际政治是一场权力之争”。
tā yī běn zhèng jīng dì xuān chēng“ “ guó jì zhèng zhì shì yī cháng quán lì zhī”。
He grandly declared that "international politics is a struggle for power".
Joking apart, you ought to smoke fewer cigarettes, you know.
8
他一本正经地咧嘴笑了笑。
tā yī běn zhèng jīng dì liě zuǐ xiào le xiào。
He showed his teeth in a humourless grin.
9
你可别跟她讲那个笑话，她这个人古板正经得要命。
nǐ kě bié gēn tā jiǎng nà gè xiào huà， ， tā zhè gè rén gǔ bǎn zhèng jīng dé yào。
You can't tell her that joke—she's much too prim and proper .
10
他们正经由陆路去往巴格达。
tā mén zhèng jīng yóu lù lù qù wǎng bā gé dá。
They're travelling to Baghdad overland.
Cultural Notes for 正经
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 正经 is highly valued, especially in professional settings. It reflects a person's integrity and seriousness, which are essential traits in maintaining respect and relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 正经
Generally, no. 正经 implies seriousness, so using it to describe a fun context may sound contradictory.
While it typically has a positive connotation, it can also be used sarcastically to imply someone is overly serious or dull.
Synonyms include 认真 (rèn zhēn, serious) and 严肃 (yán sù, solemn), but each carries slightly different nuances.
