‘校对’ (jiào duì) refers to the careful process of checking written or printed material for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and consistency—essentially proofreading or copyediting. The character ‘校’ means ‘to examine, compare, or verify’, while ‘对’ means ‘to match, align, or check against a standard’. Together, they convey the idea of comparing text against an original or authoritative version to ensure accuracy and fidelity.

This term is commonly used in publishing, journalism, academic writing, and office work. It can function as both a noun (e.g., ‘完成校对’) and a verb (e.g., ‘请校对这份稿子’). Unlike casual editing, 校对 emphasizes meticulous, line-by-line verification rather than stylistic revision. It’s often performed by specialized professionals called ‘校对员’ (jiào duì yuán), especially before final publication.