矯
- to correct;
- to straighten;
- to rectify;
Etymology
A phono-semantic compound:
矢 (arrow) — semantic component, indicating straightness (an arrow must be straight)
喬 (교) — phonetic component, supplying the sound (교 / jiǎo)
The original image suggests straightening something bent, like aligning an arrow—hence to correct or rectify.
Semantic development:
- straighten physically — correcting bent shape
- rectify faults — moral or behavioral correction
- technical correction — medical, orthodontic, or linguistic usage
Usage in Korean
교정 (矯正) — correction; rectification (medical, legal, linguistic)
교형 (矯形) — correction of form; straightening the body
교자세 (矯姿勢) — posture correction
교과 (矯過) — to correct faults (literary)
Additional notes
Compared with 正 (correct, right), 矯 emphasizes active correction of something already wrong or bent.
Related characters (correction & straightening):
正 — correct; proper
直 — straight
治 — to fix; to govern
改 — to change; reform
修 — to repair; cultivate
Among these, 矯 highlights forceful or intentional straightening of deviation.
Words that derived from 矯
- 人大竹大月 (OKHKB)
- ⿰ 矢 喬