订正 (dìng zhèng) is a verb meaning 'to correct (errors)'—especially written or factual mistakes in texts, documents, assignments, or publications. The character 订 (dìng) originally meant 'to fix' or 'to settle', and 正 (zhèng) means 'correct' or 'right'. Together, they emphasize the deliberate, formal act of identifying and fixing inaccuracies—not just casual editing, but authoritative revision. It’s commonly used in academic, publishing, and office contexts where accuracy matters.

This word implies responsibility and care: the person doing the 订正 is often in a position of authority (e.g., a teacher, editor, or proofreader), and the process usually involves reviewing, marking changes, and updating content. It’s not used for correcting spoken slips or personal behavior—those would use 改正 (gǎi zhèng) or 修正 (xiū zhèng). 订正 carries a tone of precision and accountability, and it frequently appears in phrases like '请订正' ('Please correct this') or '订正稿' ('revised draft').