change, correct

is composed of the variant of (sixth earthly branch) and (tap, knock). is the picture of a fetus, means infant or young child, depicts a hand holding a stick, so is the picture of hitting a child with a stick. According to Chinese tradition, to correct a person's bad behavior, corporal punishment should be used from childhood.

Vocabulary of 改

  • 悔改 (repent)
  • 改革 (reform)
  • 改建 (rebuild)

Classification

Related Characters: