校勘 (jiàokān) refers to the process of proofreading or textual criticism, especially concerning historical documents or classical texts. It involves comparing different versions of texts to identify errors, variations, and ensure accuracy in the final version. This term is often used in academic and literary contexts.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
jiàokān(jiao4kan1) T4
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May 27, 2026
校勘jiàokān(jiao4kan1)
校勘 (jiàokān) refers to the process of proofreading or textual criticism, especially concerning historical documents or classical texts. It involves comparing different versions of texts to identify errors, variations, and ensure accuracy in the final version. This term is often used in academic and literary contexts.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
校勘 is particularly important in Chinese literary tradition, where the accuracy of classical texts has profound implications for scholarship and cultural heritage. Historical figures like Confucius were known to engage in textual criticism to preserve ancient wisdom.
Memory Tip
Imagine a scholar, with a pair of glasses (the '校' part) on, meticulously checking a stack of ancient scrolls for mistakes. The act of '勘' (to examine) connects the scholar's careful scrutiny of each character. The visual image of a focused academic makes it easier to remember '校勘' as proofreading.
About 校勘
校勘Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 校勘
Podcast: 校勘
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AI Study Notes for 校勘
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a scholar, with a pair of glasses (the '校' part) on, meticulously checking a stack of ancient scrolls for mistakes. The act of '勘' (to examine) connects the scholar's careful scrutiny of each character. The visual image of a focused academic makes it easier to remember '校勘' as proofreading.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use '校勘' in academic contexts; it is not commonly used in daily conversation. Learners often confuse it with '校对' (proofreading), which is more general. Remember, '校勘' specifically deals with textual analysis rather than just correcting typos.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, students should focus on understanding specialized vocabulary related to literature and history. '校勘' connects to other HSK 7 words like '文本' (text) and '考证' (verify), expanding their academic lexicon.
Cultural Note
校勘 is particularly important in Chinese literary tradition, where the accuracy of classical texts has profound implications for scholarship and cultural heritage. Historical figures like Confucius were known to engage in textual criticism to preserve ancient wisdom.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '校勘' with '校对' and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我需要校对这部古籍' (I need to proofread this ancient book) is incorrect if referring to text criticism; '校勘' should be used instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 校勘
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Cultural Notes for 校勘
🏮Cultural insight
校勘 is particularly important in Chinese literary tradition, where the accuracy of classical texts has profound implications for scholarship and cultural heritage. Historical figures like Confucius were known to engage in textual criticism to preserve ancient wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions about 校勘
校勘 focuses on examining and correcting historical or classical texts, while 校对 is used for general proofreading.
No, 校勘 is typically used in formal academic contexts and is not suited for casual conversations.
Yes, 校勘 is a significant term in literary studies, especially for scholars dealing with ancient texts.
