Keywords: tiaozheng, 调整, adjust Chinese, revise Chinese, tune, regulate, Chinese word for adjustment, make adjustments in Chinese, tiáo zhěng, HSK 4 word
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 调整 (tiáozhěng), which means “to adjust,” “regulate,” or “revise.” This versatile term is crucial for discussing changes in plans, strategies, prices, and even your own mindset or mood. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with clear examples, helping you understand how to talk about making adjustments in both business and daily life in China.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): tiáozhěng
Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To adjust, regulate, revise, or tune something to a more suitable state.
In a Nutshell: Think of 调整 (tiáozhěng) as the act of fine-tuning. It's not about a complete overhaul or a radical transformation, but rather about making calculated changes to something that already exists to improve it, correct it, or bring it into alignment. Whether you're adjusting the volume on a speaker, tweaking a project timeline, or regulating your own emotions, `调整` is the word you need. It implies a deliberate and purposeful modification.
Character Breakdown
调 (tiáo): This character's core meaning is “to adjust,” “to tune,” or “to mediate.” Think of tuning a musical instrument (调音) or mixing flavors (调味). The speech radical (言) on the left hints at mediation or reaching a consensus that requires adjustment.
整 (zhěng): This character means “whole,” “orderly,” “tidy,” or “to put in order.” It evokes a sense of completeness and neatness.
When combined, 调整 (tiáozhěng) literally means “to adjust into a whole or orderly state.” The characters perfectly capture the idea of making modifications to bring a system, plan, or object into a more correct, balanced, and complete form.
Cultural Context and Significance
Harmony and Balance: The concept of `调整` is deeply connected to the traditional Chinese value of harmony (和谐, héxié). Making an adjustment is often seen as an action to restore balance or to find a “middle way.” For example, when a business faces a new challenge, the first instinct is often not to abandon the old plan entirely, but to `调整` the strategy to accommodate the new reality. This applies to personal life as well, such as when one speaks of 调整心态 (tiáozhěng xīntài)—adjusting one's mindset to cope with stress and maintain inner equilibrium.
Comparison with “Adjust”: In English, “adjust” can sometimes feel minor or passive (e.g., “my eyes adjusted to the dark”). In Chinese, `调整` often implies a more conscious, active, and sometimes significant process. A government announcing a 政策调整 (zhèngcè tiáozhěng), or a “policy adjustment,” is a major event that has been carefully considered. It's more than a simple “tweak”; it's a deliberate re-calibration of a system. It reflects a cultural preference for incremental improvement and adaptation over radical, disruptive change.
Practical Usage in Modern China
`调整` is an extremely common and practical word used across various domains.
In Business and Work: This is a cornerstone of business vocabulary.
Prices: 我们需要调整价格以应对市场变化。(Wǒmen xūyào tiáozhěng jiàgé yǐ yìngduì shìchǎng biànhuà.) - “We need to adjust prices to respond to market changes.”
Strategy/Plans: 公司决定调整其长期发展策略。(Gōngsī juédìng tiáozhěng qí chángqī fāzhǎn cèlüè.) - “The company decided to adjust its long-term development strategy.”
Schedules: 由于意外情况，我们必须调整会议时间。(Yóuyú yìwài qíngkuàng, wǒmen bìxū tiáozhěng huìyì shíjiān.) - “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must adjust the meeting time.”
In Personal Life:
Mindset/Emotions: 考前有点紧张，我需要调整一下心态。(Kǎo qián yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng, wǒ xūyào tiáozhěng yíxià xīntài.) - “I'm a bit nervous before the exam, I need to adjust my mindset a bit.”
Lifestyle: 为了健康，我开始调整我的作息和饮食。(Wèile jiànkāng, wǒ kāishǐ tiáozhěng wǒde zuòxī hé yǐnshí.) - “For my health, I started adjusting my daily routine and diet.”
Technical/Physical Adjustments:
Equipment: 你能帮我调整一下空调的温度吗？(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ tiáozhěng yíxià kōngtiáo de wēndù ma?) - “Can you help me adjust the air conditioner's temperature?”
Physical Objects: 请调整你的座椅，确保舒适。(Qǐng tiáozhěng nǐde zuòyǐ, quèbǎo shūshì.) - “Please adjust your seat to ensure comfort.”
English: Based on customer feedback, we made some adjustments to the product design.
Analysis: Here, `调整` is used as a noun. “做了一些调整” (zuòle yìxiē tiáozhěng) is a very common phrase meaning “made some adjustments.” It implies refinement, not a complete redesign.
English: Teacher, does this project plan need to be adjusted?
Analysis: A classic example of using `调整` as a verb in a professional or academic context. It's a polite and standard way to ask about making changes.
Example 3:
他很快调整了自己来适应新的工作环境。
Pinyin: Tā hěn kuài tiáozhěng le zìjǐ lái shìyìng xīn de gōngzuò huánjìng.
English: He quickly adjusted himself to adapt to the new work environment.
Analysis: This sentence shows how `调整` can be used for personal adaptation. The adjustment here refers to his habits, expectations, or work style.
Example 4:
我们需要调整一下营销策略，因为上一季度的销售额不理想。
Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào tiáozhěng yíxià yíngxiāo cèlüè, yīnwèi shàng yí jìdù de xiāoshòu'é bù lǐxiǎng.
English: We need to adjust our marketing strategy a bit because last quarter's sales figures were not ideal.
Analysis: This demonstrates `调整` in a business strategy context. The phrase “调整一下” (tiáozhěng yíxià) softens the verb, suggesting a “quick adjustment” or “a bit of an adjustment.”
Example 5:
请把显示器的亮度和对比度调整到最舒服的状态。
Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ xiǎnshìqì de liàngdù hé duìbǐdù tiáozhěng dào zuì shūfu de zhuàngtài.
English: Please adjust the monitor's brightness and contrast to the most comfortable state.
Analysis: A perfect example of `调整` for technical settings. The structure “把…调整到…” (bǎ…tiáozhěng dào…) means “to adjust…to…” a certain state.
English: This airline recently adjusted its baggage allowance regulations.
Analysis: Used here for policies and rules. It implies a formal, official change made by an organization.
Example 7:
经过几天的休息，他的身体状态调整过来了。
Pinyin: Jīngguò jǐ tiān de xiūxi, tā de shēntǐ zhuàngtài tiáozhěng guòlai le.
English: After a few days of rest, his physical condition has adjusted back to normal.
Analysis: The resultative complement “过来” (guòlai) indicates a return to a normal or correct state. `调整过来了` means successfully adjusted back.
Example 8:
经济衰退期间，政府出台了一系列调整措施。
Pinyin: Jīngjì shuāituì qījiān, zhèngfǔ chūtái le yíxìliè tiáozhěng cuòshī.
English: During the economic recession, the government introduced a series of adjustment measures.
Analysis: Here, `调整` acts as an adjective modifying “措施” (cuòshī - measures). “Adjustment measures” are steps taken to correct or rebalance the economy.
English: This organizational structure adjustment affects every employee.
Analysis: `调整` is used as a noun referring to a major but planned change within a company. It's a re-organization, but “adjustment” sounds less drastic than “overhaul.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`调整 (tiáozhěng)` vs. `改变 (gǎibiàn)`: This is the most important distinction for learners.
`调整` is for fine-tuning, revising, or re-calibrating within an existing framework. You adjust a plan.
`改变 (gǎibiàn)` is for a more fundamental or complete change. You change your mind, your job, or your life.
Correct: 我们需要调整计划。(Wǒmen xūyào tiáozhěng jìhuà.) - We need to adjust the plan.
Incorrect: 我们需要改变计划。(Wǒmen xūyào gǎibiàn jìhuà.) - This is grammatically correct, but it implies throwing the old plan out and making a new one, which is a much bigger change.
Correct: 他改变了主意。(Tā gǎibiàn le zhǔyi.) - He changed his mind.
Incorrect: 他调整了主意。 (Tā tiáozhěng le zhǔyi.) - This sounds very strange in Chinese. You don't “fine-tune” a decision in this way.
`调整 (tiáozhěng)` vs. `修改 (xiūgǎi)`:
`修改 (xiūgǎi)` means “to revise,” “amend,” or “correct,” and is most often used for text, documents, code, or laws. It focuses on fixing errors or improving content.
`调整` is broader and focuses on bringing a system into a better state of balance or suitability.
Example: You 修改 an essay (修改一篇文章) to fix grammar, but you 调整 the project's schedule (调整项目时间) to meet a deadline.
Related Terms and Concepts
改变 (gǎibiàn) - A more fundamental “change” or “transformation”; a contrast to the refinement of `调整`.
修改 (xiūgǎi) - To revise, amend, or correct, especially written materials. More specific than `调整`.
调节 (tiáojié) - To regulate, often used for automatic, systemic, or biological processes (e.g., body temperature, economic levers). Very similar to `调整` but more common in technical/scientific contexts.
安排 (ānpái) - To arrange or organize. An `安排` (arrangement/plan) is often what gets `调整`ed.
适应 (shìyìng) - To adapt or get used to. You might need to `调整` your lifestyle in order to `适应` a new city.
计划 (jìhuà) - A plan. A `计划` is the object that is most frequently `调整`ed.
改善 (gǎishàn) - To improve or make better. The purpose of making an `调整` is usually to `改善` a situation.
优化 (yōuhuà) - To optimize. `调整` is the action one takes to `优化` a system or process for maximum efficiency.
平衡 (pínghéng) - Balance. The ultimate goal of many adjustments (`调整`) is to achieve or restore `平衡`.