How to say "correct" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 正しいただしいi-adjectiveThe adjective for something that is right or correct: the right answer, the right way of doing things. It judges right or wrong, while 正確 is about being accurate and free of error.
- 正確せいかくna-adjective, nounCovers 'correct' in the sense of accurate and exact: correct information, figures, the time. Choose it when the point is precision — that facts, details or measurements contain no error.
- 正すただすgodan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to correct in the sense of setting right: to rectify an error or reform conduct. It overlaps with 直す but frames the act as restoring something to what is right.
- 正則せいそくna-adjective, no-adjectiveMarginal as a way to say 'correct': its real meanings are 'proper', 'formal' and 'regular', describing conformity to a rule or pattern. For saying something is correct, it is seldom the word you want.
- 直すなおすgodan verb, transitive verbA verb for putting things right: it covers repairing or fixing something, and correcting a mistake or a bad habit. For the action of correcting, this is usually the word you want.
Use the adjective 「正しい」 for what is right and 正確 for what is accurate; use the verbs 「直す」 or 「正す」 to correct something, while 正則 (regular, proper) is seldom the word you want.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 正しいただしいright
- 正確せいかくaccurate
- 正すただすto correct
- 正則せいそくcorrect
- 直すなおすto repair
- 訂するていするto correct
- 手を入れるてをいれるto correct
- 訂すただすto correct (a typo, etc.)
- 端然たんぜんproper (appearance, posture, etc.)
- 矯めるためるto straighten
- 矯め直すためなおすto set up again
- 朱を入れるしゅをいれるto retouch
- 本当ほんとうproper
- 改めるあらためるto reform
- スクエアformal
- 確かたしかreliable
- 端正たんせいdecent
- 修するしゅうするto fix
- 手を加えるてをくわえるto revise
See also
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