xiū: 修 - To Repair, Fix, Build, Cultivate

• Keywords: xiu Chinese, 修 meaning, how to use xiu, repair in Chinese, fix in Chinese, build in Chinese, study in Chinese, cultivate in Chinese, self-cultivation, 修理, 修改, 修身, Chinese character for repair
• Summary: Discover the versatile Chinese character 修 (xiū), a term that goes far beyond simple “repair.” While it means to fix a bike or build a road, it's also central to profound cultural concepts like self-cultivation (修身 xiūshēn) and academic study. This page explores how 修 (xiū) is used in everyday conversation, from revising documents to personal grooming, and delves into its deep roots in Chinese philosophy, making it an essential character for any learner to master.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiū
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4 (in words like 修理 and 修改)
• Concise Definition: To repair, fix, build, study, or cultivate.
• In a Nutshell: At its heart, 修 (xiū) is about the act of improving something through deliberate effort. This “something” can be a physical object like a car, a public work like a road, an intellectual product like an essay, or most profoundly, one's own character and moral standing. It implies a process of refinement, mending, and betterment.

• 修 is an ideogrammic compound character.
• 亻(rén): The left-side radical is the “person” radical, indicating that the action is performed by a human.
• 攸 (yōu): The right-side component originally depicted a person with a walking stick, suggesting a regulated, methodical action or process.
• Combined Meaning: The character powerfully combines a “person” (亻) with a “methodical process” (攸). This creates the meaning of a person actively and skillfully working to improve, decorate, or mend something. Whether fixing a watch or cultivating one's spirit, the action is deliberate and purposeful.

The true depth of 修 (xiū) is revealed in the concept of 修身 (xiūshēn), or “self-cultivation.” This is a cornerstone of Confucian philosophy, famously expressed in the saying: `修身、齐家、治国、平天下` (xiū shēn, qí jiā, zhì guó, píng tiānxià), which means “Cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.”

• Comparison with “Self-Improvement”: In Western culture, “self-improvement” often focuses on individualistic goals: gaining new skills for a better job, becoming fitter for personal health, or learning a hobby for personal enjoyment. While these are all positive, 修身 (xiūshēn) is fundamentally a moral and social endeavor. The goal of cultivating oneself in Chinese tradition is not just for personal benefit, but to become a better family member, a more responsible citizen, and a harmonizing force in society. It's about developing virtues like integrity (诚), filial piety (孝), and propriety (礼). This makes 修 (xiū) a word deeply connected to the collective good and social harmony.

修 (xiū) is an extremely common and practical verb used in many different contexts.

• Repairing & Fixing: This is the most direct meaning. It's used for everyday objects.
  • e.g., 修车 (xiū chē - to fix a car), 修电脑 (xiū diànnǎo - to fix a computer). The common word for this is 修理 (xiūlǐ).
• Building & Construction: It's used for constructing infrastructure.
  • e.g., 修路 (xiū lù - to build a road), 修桥 (xiū qiáo - to build a bridge).
• Revising & Editing: In academic or professional settings, it means to amend or modify.
  • e.g., 修改合同 (xiūgǎi hétong - to revise a contract), 修改论文 (xiūgǎi lùnwén - to edit a thesis).
• Studying & Academics: It's used to mean “taking a course” or “majoring in a subject.”
  • e.g., 我修了三门课 (Wǒ xiū le sān mén kè - I took three courses), 他修的是历史专业 (Tā xiū de shì lìshǐ zhuānyè - He's majoring in history).
• Personal Grooming: For actions that involve trimming or shaping.
  • e.g., 修指甲 (xiū zhǐjia - to trim/manicure fingernails), 修眉毛 (xiū méimao - to shape eyebrows).

• Example 1:
  • 我的自行车坏了，你能帮我修一下吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de zìxíngchē huài le, nǐ néng bāng wǒ xiū yíxià ma?
  • English: My bicycle is broken, can you help me fix it?
  • Analysis: This is the most common, everyday use of 修, meaning to repair a physical object. The phrase 修一下 (xiū yíxià) softens the request, meaning “to fix it up a bit.”
• Example 2:
  • 政府计划明年修一条新的高速公路。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ jìhuà míngnián xiū yì tiáo xīn de gāosù gōnglù.
  • English: The government plans to build a new highway next year.
  • Analysis: Here, 修 means “to build” or “construct,” specifically for infrastructure like roads, bridges, and subways.
• Example 3:
  • 老师让我把这篇文章修改一下。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒ bǎ zhè piān wénzhāng xiūgǎi yíxià.
  • English: The teacher asked me to revise this article.
  • Analysis: In this context, 修改 (xiūgǎi) means to revise or amend a written work. The focus is on improving the quality of the text.
• Example 4:
  • 我这个学期修了中国历史课。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhège xuéqī xiū le Zhōngguó lìshǐ kè.
  • English: I'm taking a Chinese history course this semester.
  • Analysis: In an academic context, 修 is the standard verb for “to take a course.” It implies a process of study and learning.
• Example 5:
  • 他是一个很有修养的人，说话总是很客气。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge hěn yǒu xiūyǎng de rén, shuōhuà zǒngshì hěn kèqi.
  • English: He is a very cultivated person; he's always very polite when he speaks.
  • Analysis: 修养 (xiūyǎng) refers to one's self-cultivation, poise, and education. It describes a person's character and demeanor, not a physical action.
• Example 6:
  • 我们家正在装修，所以现在有点乱。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiā zhèngzài zhuāngxiū, suǒyǐ xiànzài yǒudiǎn luàn.
  • English: Our house is being renovated right now, so it's a bit messy.
  • Analysis: The word 装修 (zhuāngxiū) specifically means to renovate, remodel, or decorate an interior space like a home or office.
• Example 7:
  • 在古代，学者们都非常重视修身养性。
  • Pinyin: Zài gǔdài, xuézhěmen dōu fēicháng zhòngshì xiūshēn yǎngxìng.
  • English: In ancient times, scholars placed great importance on cultivating their character and nurturing their spirit.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly uses the philosophical concept of 修身 (xiūshēn). It refers to the moral and ethical cultivation of the self.
• Example 8:
  • 这座古老的寺庙最近刚刚修缮过。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zuò gǔlǎo de sìmiào zuìjìn gānggāng xiūshàn guò.
  • English: This ancient temple was just recently repaired and restored.
  • Analysis: 修缮 (xiūshàn) is a more formal word for repairing and maintaining, often used for buildings, especially historical ones.
• Example 9:
  • 我想去美容院修一下眉毛。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng qù měiróngyuàn xiū yíxià méimao.
  • English: I want to go to the beauty salon to get my eyebrows shaped.
  • Analysis: This shows the use of 修 in personal grooming, meaning to trim, shape, or tidy up.
• Example 10:
  • 经过多年的修行，他成为了得道高僧。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò duōnián de xiūxíng, tā chéngwéi le dédào gāosēng.
  • English: After many years of spiritual practice, he became an enlightened monk.
  • Analysis: 修行 (xiūxíng) refers to ascetic or spiritual practice, common in Buddhism and Taoism. It's about cultivating the spirit to achieve a higher state of being.

• 修 (xiū) vs. 解决 (jiějué): This is a critical distinction for learners. You 修 a physical object or a system, but you 解决 a problem. You fix a car (修车), but you solve a problem (解决问题).
  • Incorrect: 我要修我的问题。 (Wǒ yào xiū wǒ de wèntí.)
  • Correct: 我要解决我的问题。 (Wǒ yào jiějué wǒ de wèntí.)
• 修理 (xiūlǐ) vs. 维修 (wéixiū): Both mean “to repair,” but they have different connotations.
  • 修理 (xiūlǐ) is the general, everyday word. You ask a friend to help you 修理 your bike.
  • 维修 (wéixiū) is more formal and technical, often implying scheduled maintenance. It's used for large machinery, public facilities, or in professional contexts. The sign on a broken elevator would say “正在维修” (Zhèngzài wéixiū - Undergoing maintenance).

• 修理 (xiūlǐ) - The most common verb for “to repair” or “to fix” an object.
• 修改 (xiūgǎi) - To revise, amend, or modify something, usually a text, document, or plan.
• 维修 (wéixiū) - A more formal term for “to maintain and repair,” often used for equipment and infrastructure.
• 修养 (xiūyǎng) - Personal cultivation, character, poise. Describes a person's good breeding and education.
• 修身 (xiūshēn) - The core Confucian concept of “self-cultivation” for moral and ethical development.
• 装修 (zhuāngxiū) - To renovate, remodel, or decorate a house or apartment.
• 修行 (xiūxíng) - Spiritual or religious practice, especially in Buddhism or Taoism.
• 编修 (biānxiū) - To compile and edit, often used for historical texts, dictionaries, or encyclopedias.
• 解决 (jiějué) - Antonym in context. While 修 fixes objects, 解决 solves problems or resolves issues.