修理
xīu lǐ HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

爸爸在修理自行车。
Bàba zài xiūlǐ zìxíngchē.
Dad is repairing the bicycle.
我需要修理我的电脑。
Wǒ xūyào xiūlǐ wǒ de diànnǎo.
I need to repair my computer.
修理东西要花时间。
Xiūlǐ dōngxi yào huā shíjiān.
Repairing things takes time.
我修理自行车。
Wǒ xiūlǐ zìxíngchē.
I repair the bicycle.
他修理电脑。
Tā xiūlǐ diànnǎo.
He fixes the computer.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 修 (xiū) means 'to decorate' or 'to cultivate,' and 理 (lǐ) means 'to manage' or 'reason.' Think of 'managing a decoration'—when something is broken, you 'manage' it to make it nice again through repair.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in register, suitable for both spoken and written Chinese in formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used for repairing physical objects like appliances, vehicles, furniture, or electronics. It can also be used humorously or metaphorically for people (e.g., 'to teach someone a lesson').

📖 Grammar Points

It is a transitive verb (e.g., 修理门). Can be used with aspect particles like 了 (修好了), 过 (修理过), or 着 (正在修理着). Often appears in serial verb constructions (e.g., 请人来修理) or with modal verbs (e.g., 必须修理).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In informal contexts, saying '修理你' can be a playful or serious threat meaning 'to teach you a lesson' or 'to beat you up,' reflecting a metaphorical extension of fixing a 'problem' (the person).

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 修复 (xiūfù), which emphasizes 'restoring' something to its original state (often for valuables, art, or data), 修理 is more general and practical for everyday fixes. 维修 (wéixiū) is also similar but often implies maintenance or professional servicing, especially for machinery or systems.

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