修改 (xiū gǎi) is a transitive verb meaning 'to revise' or 'to edit'—typically referring to making deliberate, thoughtful changes to written or digital content to improve accuracy, clarity, or style. The character 修 (xiū) conveys the idea of repair, cultivation, or refinement (as in 修理 'to repair' or 修身 'to cultivate oneself'), while 改 (gǎi) means 'to change' or 'to alter' (as in 改变 'to change' or 改正 'to correct'). Together, they emphasize purposeful, often careful modification—not casual tweaking, but intentional improvement.

This word is commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday contexts: editing an essay, updating a document, correcting a report, or even adjusting settings in software. It implies the original material exists and is being improved upon—not created anew. 修改 is neutral in register, appropriate in both formal writing and spoken instructions, and frequently appears in phrases like '请修改一下' ('Please revise this') or '修改意见' ('revision suggestions').