正 zhèng
“straight; upright; proper”
adverb, attributive, adjective, verbHSK 5 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
正 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 491: 正 zhèng — Level 2; official annotation 2（5） (副、（形）). PDF page 92
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 正
正 (zhèng) is commonly an adverb before a verb meaning 'right now, in the middle of', often used as 正在 + verb or 正 + verb + 呢. As an adjective/result complement it means 'straight, upright' (e.g. 放正), while as an adjective it can also mean 'main, proper'. In everyday modern usage, the separate reading zhēng is mainly found in 正月, the first month of the lunar year; it is not represented in the examples.
例句Example sentences
- 我正想给你打电话呢。wǒ zhèng xiǎng gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà ne.I was just thinking of calling you.
- 他正在做作业，别打扰他。tā zhèng zài zuò zuò yè, bié dǎ rǎo tā.He is doing his homework right now, so don't disturb him.
- 请把这张画放正。qǐng bǎ zhè zhāng huà fàng zhèng.Please put this picture straight.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我在正吃饭。
✓我正在吃饭。
正 cannot follow 在 here; use the fixed adverb 正在 before the verb, or the pattern 正 + verb + 呢.
易混词Easily confused
正vs在
在 before a verb can also mark an ongoing action, but 在 additionally means 'at/in' as a preposition or 'be at' as a verb. 正 emphasizes 'right at this moment' and often pairs with 呢; 正在 is a fixed adverb combination.
义项All meanings
- zhēng: first month of the lunar year
- zhèng: straight; upright; proper; main; principal; to correct