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正视 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
正视zhèngshìto face squarelyHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #13130, Very Hard
正视zhèngshìto meet head onHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #13130, Very Hard
正视zhèngshìto face up toHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #13130, Very Hard
zhèngshì(zheng4shi4)zheng shi T4
  1. 1to face squarely
  2. 2to meet head on
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March 24, 2026

正视(正視)zhèngshì(zheng4shi4)

正视 (zhèng shì) means to confront or acknowledge something directly, often implying honesty and courage in facing challenges or truths. This term is commonly used in contexts where one must deal with difficult situations or realities, such as personal issues or societal problems.

Strokes13Frequency#13130DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, facing up to problems is often seen as a virtue, reflecting the value placed on resilience and integrity. This concept is frequently invoked in discussions about social progress and personal development.

Memory tip

Imagine someone standing tall (正) and looking straight ahead (视) at a challenging situation. The upright stance represents facing issues head-on, while the act of looking straight signifies honesty in confronting the truth.

Meanings of 正视

zhèngshì(zheng4shi4)
1to face squarely
2to meet head on
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About 正视

正视Simplified
正視Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 正视

Quick Contrast

面对 (miàn duì) vs 正视 (zhèng shì): use 正视 when emphasizing the act of acknowledging a truth with honesty, while 面对 focuses more on the act of facing a situation without the same connotation of honesty.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 正视 with similar phrases like 面对 (miàn duì), which also means to face, but may lack the nuance of honesty. This term is more formal and often found in written contexts, such as essays or speeches.

HSK Study Tips

While 正视 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other Level 4 words related to facing challenges. Students should focus on the context in which this term is used, particularly in discussions about personal responsibility and societal issues.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes misuse 正视 by saying things like '我正视问题' (wǒ zhèng shì wèn tí) without context, which can sound awkward. It's better to use it in more structured sentences, e.g., '我们应该正视这个问题' (We should face this problem squarely).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 正视

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Component characters

正zhèngstraight
HSK 25 strokes止
View full entry
视shìto look at
HSK 18 strokes见
View full entry

How to say to face squarely in Chinese

“to face squarely” in Chinese is正视zhèngshì

正视 (zhèng shì) means to confront or acknowledge something directly, often implying honesty and courage in facing challenges or truths. This term is commonly used in contexts where one must deal with difficult situations or realities, such as personal issues or societal problems.

When to use 正视

Be careful not to confuse 正视 with similar phrases like 面对 (miàn duì), which also means to face, but may lack the nuance of honesty. This term is more formal and often found in written contexts, such as essays or speeches.

正视 or something close to it

面对 (miàn duì) vs 正视 (zhèng shì): use 正视 when emphasizing the act of acknowledging a truth with honesty, while 面对 focuses more on the act of facing a situation without the same connotation of honesty.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes misuse 正视 by saying things like '我正视问题' (wǒ zhèng shì wèn tí) without context, which can sound awkward. It's better to use it in more structured sentences, e.g., '我们应该正视这个问题' (We should face this problem squarely).

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正
视

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Frequently asked questions about 正视

Yes, but it may sound a bit formal; it's more commonly used in written language or serious discussions.

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