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| 修理 [2025/08/04 01:33] – created xiaoer | 修理 [2025/08/04 01:33] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== xiūlǐ: 修理 - To Repair, To Fix; To Discipline, To "Sort Out" ====== | ====== xiūlǐ: 修理 - To Repair, Fix, Punish ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** xiūlǐ, xiuli, 修理, how to say repair in Chinese, fix in Chinese, mend Chinese, Chinese word for repair, discipline in Chinese, punish in Chinese, teach someone a lesson Chinese | * **Keywords:** xiuli, 修理, fix Chinese, repair Chinese, mend Chinese, how to say fix in Chinese, how to say repair in Chinese, 修理 meaning, xiuli meaning, punish in Chinese, teach someone a lesson Chinese, HSK 4. |
| * **Summary:** Discover the versatile Chinese word **修理 (xiūlǐ)**, a must-know term for every learner. While its primary meaning is "to repair" or "to fix" physical objects like your phone or car, **修理** has a common and colorful colloquial meaning: "to discipline," "to teach someone a lesson," or "to sort someone out." This guide breaks down both uses, providing cultural context and practical examples so you can understand when someone wants to fix your bike versus when they want to "fix" you for misbehaving. | * **Summary:** Discover the dual nature of **修理 (xiūlǐ)**, a common Chinese verb that means "to repair" or "to fix" physical objects like cars and computers. This guide will not only teach you how to use 修理 in everyday situations but also unlock its colloquial, figurative meaning: "to punish," "to sort someone out," or "to teach someone a lesson." Learn the difference to avoid hilariously awkward (or threatening) mistakes and sound more like a native speaker. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiūlǐ | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiūlǐ |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb | * **Part of Speech:** Verb |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To repair a broken or damaged item; to colloquially discipline or deal with a person. | * **Concise Definition:** To repair or fix a tangible object; colloquially, to punish or discipline a person. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** At its heart, **修理 (xiūlǐ)** is the standard word you use when something is broken and needs fixing. Think of a mechanic repairing a car or a technician fixing a computer. However, Chinese speakers cleverly extend this idea of "fixing" to people. When a person is "out of line" or causing trouble, you can also **修理** them, meaning you'll teach them a lesson or put them back in their place. This secondary meaning is informal and carries a tone that can range from playful to a serious threat. | * **In a Nutshell:** At its heart, **修理 (xiūlǐ)** is about restoring something to its proper, working order. Its most common use is for fixing broken things—your phone, your bike, your watch. It's a practical, everyday word. However, this logic also extends to people. When someone is misbehaving or causing trouble, you can also "fix" them, which means to punish or discipline them to restore correct behavior. The context and your tone of voice are everything. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **修 (xiū):** This character means "to repair," "to build," "to decorate," or "to cultivate." It's about improving or restoring something. Think of it as taking something imperfect and working on it to make it better. | * **修 (xiū):** This character means to repair, to build, or to cultivate. It carries the sense of improving something or mending what is broken. Think of it as "to work on" or "to restore." |
| * **理 (lǐ):** This character means "to arrange," "to manage," or "to put in order." It's found in words like `管理 (guǎnlǐ)` (to manage) and `整理 (zhěnglǐ)` (to tidy up). It’s about logic and order. | * **理 (lǐ):** This character means to manage, to put in order, or logic/reason. It’s about arranging things into their correct and logical state. Think of "tidying up" or "managing a situation." |
| * When combined, **修理 (xiūlǐ)** literally means "to repair and put in order." This perfectly describes the act of fixing a machine—restoring its function and putting its parts back in the correct order. This same logic is then applied figuratively to a person who is misbehaving: you "put them back in order" through discipline. | * Together, **修理 (xiūlǐ)** literally means "to repair and put in order." This beautiful combination perfectly explains both of its meanings: restoring a broken machine to working order, and restoring a misbehaving person to an "orderly" state through discipline. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| * The dual meaning of **修理 (xiūlǐ)** offers a fascinating glimpse into Chinese communication styles. The literal meaning reflects a culture of practicality and resourcefulness, where repairing items is a common and valued skill. | The double meaning of **修理 (xiūlǐ)** offers a small window into a practical and direct aspect of Chinese culture. While the literal meaning of "repair" is universal, the figurative use for "punishing" someone is more culturally specific. |
| * The figurative meaning—to "fix" a person—is where the real cultural nuance lies. Unlike the direct English word "to punish," which is very formal and serious, `修理` is often used in a more casual, social context. It can be a tool for maintaining social harmony and hierarchy. For example, a parent might use it with a child, or a boss with a subordinate, to signal disapproval and the potential for consequences without resorting to formal punishment. | In Western cultures, disciplining someone might be discussed with phrases like "we need to have a talk" or "there will be consequences." These are often indirect. **修理**, on the other hand, can be much more direct and visceral. It compares a person's bad behavior to a broken machine that needs a firm hand to be set right. |
| * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In English, you might say, "If you do that again, you're grounded," or a boss might say, "We need to have a serious talk about your performance." The Chinese phrase `你再这样，我就要修理你了 (nǐ zài zhèyàng, wǒ jiù yào xiūlǐ nǐ le)`—"If you keep this up, I'm going to have to 'fix' you"—achieves a similar goal but with a more metaphorical and arguably more versatile expression. It can be delivered with a smile as a light-hearted warning between friends or with a stern face as a genuine threat. The ambiguity is part of its power. | This doesn't mean Chinese culture is harsh; rather, it reflects a pragmatic approach to correcting behavior, especially in hierarchical relationships like parent-child or, historically, a master-apprentice. It's often used with a humorous or teasing tone among friends, similar to the English phrase "I'm gonna fix your wagon!" But when used by an authority figure, the humorous quality disappears, and it becomes a clear warning. This reflects the cultural value of maintaining order and harmony (`和谐, héxié`), where disruptive behavior is seen as something that needs to be actively "fixed." |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| * **Literal Use (Fixing Things):** This is the most frequent and straightforward usage. You will use it constantly in daily life when something breaks. It's the standard term for any repair shop or service. | You will encounter **修理** in two main contexts: |
| * //"My phone is broken, I need to find someone to repair it."// | * **Literal Repair (Very Common, Neutral):** This is the primary meaning. You'll see it on shop signs (e.g., `修理电脑` - Repair Computers) and use it in daily conversations. The connotation is neutral and the formality is flexible, fitting both service requests and casual chats. |
| * //"Can you help me fix this chair?"// | * **Figurative Punishment (Colloquial, Informal):** This usage is highly dependent on tone and context. |
| * **Figurative Use (Disciplining People):** This usage is highly colloquial and context-dependent. It's most common in informal speech among family, friends, or in a clear power dynamic (e.g., boss to employee). | * **Joking/Teasing:** Between friends, "小心我修理你! (xiǎoxīn wǒ xiūlǐ nǐ!)" means "Watch out or I'll get you!" It's a light-hearted threat. |
| * **Parent to Child:** A very common way to discipline a misbehaving child. | * **Parental Discipline:** A parent might say this to a naughty child with a serious tone, meaning "You're in for it now." |
| * **Between Friends:** Often used jokingly to call out a friend's annoying behavior. | * **Workplace Warning:** A boss might use it to reprimand an employee, implying consequences are coming. It's a very direct and somewhat aggressive management style. |
| * **Threat/Warning:** Can be used to intimidate someone or warn them to stop doing something. The tone of voice is critical for understanding the speaker's intent. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 我的手机坏了，需要拿去**修理**。 | * 我的车坏了，需要**修理**一下。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī huài le, xūyào ná qù **xiūlǐ**. | * Pinyin: Wǒ de chē huài le, xūyào **xiūlǐ** yīxià. |
| * English: My phone is broken, I need to take it to be repaired. | * English: My car is broken, it needs to be repaired. |
| * Analysis: This is the most common, literal use of `修理`. It's neutral and standard for talking about fixing an electronic device. | * Analysis: This is the most common, literal use of the word. The `一下 (yīxià)` softens the verb, making it sound more casual. |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 你再不听话，看我怎么**修理**你！ | * 你知道哪里可以**修理**手机屏幕吗？ |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ zài bù tīnghuà, kàn wǒ zěnme **xiūlǐ** nǐ! | * Pinyin: Nǐ zhīdào nǎlǐ kěyǐ **xiūlǐ** shǒujī píngmù ma? |
| * English: If you don't listen again, see how I'll sort you out! | * English: Do you know where I can get a phone screen repaired? |
| * Analysis: A classic example of the figurative, disciplinary meaning. This is something a frustrated parent would say to a child. The tone is threatening but still colloquial. | * Analysis: A standard, practical question. `修理` is the perfect verb here for a specific repair service. |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 这台空调好像有问题，我们应该找人来**修理**一下。 | * 这块手表太旧了，**修理**的费用可能比买新的还贵。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè tái kōngtiáo hǎoxiàng yǒu wèntí, wǒmen yīnggāi zhǎo rén lái **xiūlǐ** yíxià. | * Pinyin: Zhè kuài shǒubiǎo tài jiù le, **xiūlǐ** de fèiyòng kěnéng bǐ mǎi xīn de hái guì. |
| * English: This air conditioner seems to have a problem, we should find someone to come and repair it. | * English: This watch is too old; the cost to repair it might be more expensive than buying a new one. |
| * Analysis: Here, `一下 (yíxià)` softens the verb, making it sound a bit more casual, like "give it a quick fix." | * Analysis: Here, `修理的费用 (xiūlǐ de fèiyòng)` means "repair fee" or "cost of repair," showing how the verb can be used with `的 (de)` to describe a noun. |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 他在会议上老是打断我，我真想找机会**修理**他一下。 | * 你再不听话，看我怎么**修理**你！ |
| * Pinyin: Tā zài huìyì shàng lǎoshì dǎduàn wǒ, wǒ zhēn xiǎng zhǎo jīhuì **xiūlǐ** tā yíxià. | * Pinyin: Nǐ zài bù tīnghuà, kàn wǒ zěnme **xiūlǐ** nǐ! |
| * English: He keeps interrupting me in the meeting, I really want to find a chance to teach him a lesson. | * English: If you don't listen again, see how I'll fix/punish you! |
| * Analysis: This shows the figurative use between peers or colleagues. It's likely an expression of frustration rather than a plan for physical violence. It means "to put him in his place." | * Analysis: This is the classic figurative usage, spoken by an angry parent to a child. The tone is threatening and serious. `看我怎么... (kàn wǒ zěnme...)` is a common structure for threats. |
| * **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 师傅，我的自行车链条掉了，您能帮我**修理**吗？ | * 哈哈，你敢取笑我？等会儿我就**修理**你！ |
| * Pinyin: Shīfu, wǒ de zìxíngchē liàntiáo diào le, nín néng bāng wǒ **xiūlǐ** ma? | * Pinyin: Hāhā, nǐ gǎn qǔxiào wǒ? Děng huìr wǒ jiù **xiūlǐ** nǐ! |
| * English: Master (a polite term for a skilled worker), my bike chain fell off, can you help me repair it? | * English: Haha, you dare make fun of me? I'll get you back later! |
| * Analysis: A polite and practical request made at a repair stand. Calling a repair person `师傅 (shīfu)` is a respectful and common practice. | * Analysis: Spoken between friends, this use of `修理` is a joke. The `哈哈 (hāhā)` at the beginning makes the light-hearted, playful tone clear. |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 这个小流氓昨天被警察给**修理**了。 | * 他因为上班迟到，被老板**修理**了一顿。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhège xiǎo liúmáng zuótiān bèi jǐngchá gěi **xiūlǐ** le. | * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi shàngbān chídào, bèi lǎobǎn **xiūlǐ** le yī dùn. |
| * English: That little hoodlum got "dealt with" by the police yesterday. | * English: He was "fixed up" (scolded/punished) by the boss for being late to work. |
| * Analysis: This example uses the passive structure `被 (bèi)`. Here, `修理` is a euphemism for being arrested, punished, or handled forcefully by an authority figure. | * Analysis: The passive structure `被 (bèi)` is used here. `修理了一顿 (xiūlǐ le yī dùn)` means "was punished." `一顿 (yī dùn)` is a measure word often used with actions like eating, scolding, or beating. |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 别担心，这点小毛病，我三两下就能给你**修理**好。 | * 这条路正在**修理**，我们得绕道走。 |
| * Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, zhè diǎn xiǎo máobìng, wǒ sān liǎng xià jiù néng gěi nǐ **xiūlǐ** hǎo. | * Pinyin: Zhè tiáo lù zhèngzài **xiūlǐ**, wǒmen děi ràodào zǒu. |
| * English: Don't worry, it's just a small problem, I can get it fixed for you in a jiffy. | * English: This road is currently under repair, we have to take a detour. |
| * Analysis: The resultative complement `好 (hǎo)` indicates that the repair will be completed successfully. `三两下 (sān liǎng xià)` is an idiom meaning "quickly and easily." | * Analysis: `修理` can be used for large-scale infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and buildings. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 老王，你家的花园该**修理**一下了，草长得太高了。 | * 我得找个师傅来**修理**一下漏水的水龙头。 |
| * Pinyin: Lǎo Wáng, nǐ jiā de huāyuán gāi **xiūlǐ** yíxià le, cǎo zhǎng de tài gāo le. | * Pinyin: Wǒ děi zhǎo ge shīfu lái **xiūlǐ** yīxià lòushuǐ de shuǐlóngtóu. |
| * English: Old Wang, your garden needs to be tended to, the grass has grown too tall. | * English: I need to find a handyman/master worker to come fix the leaking faucet. |
| * Analysis: This shows a less common but valid use of `修理` to mean "to tend to," "to prune," or "to tidy up," connecting back to the character `理` (to put in order). | * Analysis: `师傅 (shīfu)` is a respectful term for any skilled manual worker, from a taxi driver to a repairman. This is a very practical, common sentence in China. |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 球队输了比赛，教练说回去要好好**修理**一下他们。 | * 这个家伙欠我钱不还，我迟早要**修理**他。 |
| * Pinyin: Qiúduì shū le bǐsài, jiàoliàn shuō huíqù yào hǎohǎo **xiūlǐ** yíxià tāmen. | * Pinyin: Zhège jiāhuo qiàn wǒ qián bù huán, wǒ chízǎo yào **xiūlǐ** tā. |
| * English: The team lost the game, and the coach said he was going to really 'work them over' when they get back. | * English: This guy owes me money and won't pay it back, sooner or later I'm going to sort him out. |
| * Analysis: In a sports context, this doesn't mean physical punishment. It implies intense, corrective training or a harsh lecture to "fix" their performance issues. | * Analysis: This is a serious, non-joking threat. The context of owing money makes the intent clear. `家伙 (jiāhuo)` is a very informal, and in this case derogatory, way to say "guy." |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| * 这块手表很贵，必须找专业的师傅**修理**。 | * 我的电脑运行很慢，需要**修理**一下，或者干脆买台新的。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè kuài shǒubiǎo hěn guì, bìxū zhǎo zhuānyè de shīfu **xiūlǐ**. | * Pinyin: Wǒ de diànnǎo yùnxíng hěn màn, xūyào **xiūlǐ** yīxià, huòzhě gāncuì mǎi tái xīn de. |
| * English: This watch is very expensive, you must find a professional technician to repair it. | * English: My computer is running very slowly, it either needs to be fixed or I should just buy a new one. |
| * Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that `修理` is the correct, standard verb for professional repair services, even for high-value items. | * Analysis: A great example showing a common dilemma. `修理` (repair) is contrasted with `买新的` (buy a new one). |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **`修理` vs. `修 (xiū)`:** For fixing objects, `修 (xiū)` is often used as a shorter, more colloquial version (e.g., `修电脑 xiū diànnǎo`). However, for the meaning of "disciplining a person," you almost always use the full word `修理`. Saying `我要修你 (wǒ yào xiū nǐ)` sounds strange and incomplete. | * **Context is King:** The biggest mistake is mixing up the two meanings. If a repairman tells you the price and you reply with "**我要修理你 (Wǒ yào xiūlǐ nǐ)**," you are threatening him, not agreeing to the service! You should say something like "好的，请修理吧 (Hǎo de, qǐng xiūlǐ ba)" - "Okay, please repair it." |
| * **`修理` vs. `治 (zhì)` - Fixing Things vs. Curing People:** This is a critical distinction. `修理` is for inanimate objects. `治 (zhì)` is for curing illnesses or diseases (`治病 zhìbìng`). Never say you want to `修理` a sick person or `治` a broken bicycle. | * **False Friends with "Fix":** Be careful. You can't use `修理` for all meanings of the English word "fix." |
| * **Incorrect:** 他生病了，医生在**修理**他。(Tā shēngbìng le, yīshēng zài **xiūlǐ** tā.) -> This sounds like the doctor is beating him up! | * To "fix a meal": Use `做饭 (zuò fàn)`. Incorrect: *我要修理晚饭。* |
| * **Correct:** 他生病了，医生在**治**他。(Tā shēngbìng le, yīshēng zài **zhì** tā.) | * To "fix a date/time": Use `定 (dìng)` or `约 (yuē)`. Incorrect: *我们修理一个时间吧。* |
| * **`修理` vs. `解决 (jiějué)` - Fixing Things vs. Solving Problems:** `修理` fixes physical, broken items. `解决 (jiějué)` solves abstract problems, conflicts, or questions (`解决问题 jiějué wèntí`). You `修理` a leaky faucet, but you `解决` a math problem. | * To "fix" an abstract problem: Use `解决 (jiějué)`. Incorrect: *我们必须修理这个误会。* (We must fix this misunderstanding.) |
| * **Don't Misuse the Figurative Meaning:** As a learner, be very careful when using `修理` to mean "discipline." Using it in a formal setting or without the right tone could be perceived as rude or genuinely threatening. It's best to understand it when you hear it and only use it with close friends you're sure will understand your humorous intent. | * `修理` is for fixing **tangible things** that are broken or, figuratively, **people** whose behavior is "broken." |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * `[[维修]] (wéixiū)` - A more formal term for "to maintain and repair." You often see this on the signs of official service centers or in technical manuals. | * `[[维修]] (wéixiū)` - To maintain and repair. `维修` is more formal and technical than `修理`. You see it on official notices and in industrial contexts. |
| * `[[修]] (xiū)` - The single-character, more colloquial version of `修理` used for fixing objects (e.g., `修车` - to fix a car). | * `[[修补]] (xiūbǔ)` - To mend or to patch. This implies a smaller-scale repair, like darning a sock (`修补袜子`) or patching a small hole. |
| * `[[改正]] (gǎizhèng)` - To correct (a mistake, a bad habit, an error in a document). It's about fixing something that is wrong, not something that is broken. | * `[[解决]] (jiějué)` - To solve. This is the word you need for abstract problems, conflicts, or questions. `修理` fixes a machine; `解决` fixes a situation. |
| * `[[整理]] (zhěnglǐ)` - To tidy up, to put in order, to organize. This term focuses on neatness and order, like tidying a room or organizing files. | * `[[整理]] (zhěnglǐ)` - To tidy up, organize. This is for when things are messy, not broken. You `整理` your room, you don't `修理` it (unless the walls have collapsed!). |
| * `[[教训]] (jiàoxun)` - (n.) a lesson; (v.) to teach someone a lesson. This is a close synonym for the disciplinary meaning of `修理`, but it's slightly more direct and less euphemistic. | * `[[惩罚]] (chéngfá)` - To punish. This is the formal, unambiguous word for punishment. `修理` is the colloquial, informal equivalent in its figurative sense. |
| * `[[惩罚]] (chéngfá)` - To punish. This is a formal and serious word, implying official or severe consequences. `修理` is far more colloquial. | * `[[教训]] (jiàoxun)` - (v./n.) To teach a lesson; a lesson/moral. This is a very close synonym for the figurative meaning of `修理`. You can say `教训他一顿 (jiàoxun tā yī dùn)` just like `修理他一顿`. |
| * `[[处理]] (chǔlǐ)` - To handle, to process, to deal with. A neutral term for managing a situation or task. You can `处理` a customer complaint or `处理` some documents. | * `[[搞定]] (gǎodìng)` - To get something done, to handle it. This is a very common and versatile slang term. If your computer is broken, you could say "我要把它搞定," which could mean fixing it yourself, or taking it to be repaired. It's about "handling" the problem. |
| * `[[弄坏]] (nòng huài)` - The antonym: to break something (often through carelessness). If you `弄坏` something, you'll need someone to `修理` it. | |