更正 means 'to correct (an error)' and is a formal, standard verb used when fixing mistakes in writing, speech, data, or official information. The character 更 (gēng) means 'to change' or 'to replace', while 正 (zhèng) means 'correct' or 'right'; together, they convey the idea of replacing something incorrect with the right version. It’s commonly used in academic, professional, and administrative contexts — for example, correcting typos in documents, updating inaccurate records, or issuing public corrections.

This verb often appears in compound structures like 更正错误 (gēngzhèng cuòwù, 'correct a mistake') or 要求更正 (yāoqiú gēngzhèng, 'request a correction'). Unlike the more casual 改正 (gǎizhèng), 更正 tends to imply a higher degree of formality and authority — it’s frequently seen in news reports, official notices, and editorial statements. It can be used transitively (e.g., 更正信息) or intransitively (e.g., 请予以更正).