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verb HSK 5
Traditional 修復
xiū fù
to repair · to restore · to fix · to mend

Meaning

修复 means to repair or restore something to its original or functional state. It's used for both physical objects (buildings, machinery) and abstract things (relationships, ecosystems). The word combines 修 (to repair, to mend) and 复 (to return, to restore), emphasizing the idea of bringing something back to a previous condition.

Usage

修复 is more formal than the everyday word 修 or 修理. It's commonly used in technical, medical, environmental, and professional contexts. For example, restoring cultural relics, repairing damaged tissue, or fixing software bugs. In casual conversation about fixing a broken phone or bike, people would more likely say 修一下.

Examples

  1. 01
    这座古建筑经过三年的修复工作，终于重新对外开放了。
    Zhè zuò gǔ jiàn zhù jīng guò sān nián de xiū fù gōng zuò, zhōng yú chóng xīn duì wài kāi fàng le.
    After three years of restoration work, this ancient building has finally reopened to the public.
  2. 02
    医生说这种手术可以修复受损的神经组织。
    Yī shēng shuō zhè zhǒng shǒu shù kě yǐ xiū fù shòu sǔn de shén jīng zǔ zhī.
    The doctor said this type of surgery can repair damaged nerve tissue.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 修复关系
    xiū fù guān xì
    to repair a relationship
  • 修复文物
    xiū fù wén wù
    to restore cultural relics
  • 修复生态
    xiū fù shēng tài
    to restore the ecosystem
  • 修复功能
    xiū fù gōng néng
    to restore functionality

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters have ancient origins. 修 originally depicted a person adorning or perfecting something. 复 combines 彳 (step) and 复 (to return), suggesting the action of going back. Together, they form a compound meaning to restore something to its former state.

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