正本清源

zhèngběn-qīngyuán

idiom

Meanings

1 to rectify the root and purify the source
2 to fundamentally solve a problem
3 to set things right from the start

Characters

to correct; to set right

root; fundamental

to clear; to purify

Examples

HSK 7-9

要想彻底解决腐败问题，必须正本清源。

Yào xiǎng chèdǐ jiějué fǔbài wèntí, bìxū zhèngběn-qīngyuán.

To truly solve the corruption problem, we must rectify it at its root.

HSK 7-9

这篇文章正本清源，澄清了许多历史误解。

Zhè piān wénzhāng zhèngběn-qīngyuán, chéngqīng le xǔduō lìshǐ wùjiě.

This article traces things back to the source and clears up many historical misconceptions.

Tips

history

Recorded in 《汉书·刑法志》 as 清原正本 and in 《晋书·武帝纪》: 思与天下式明王度，正本清源, the emperor's call to reform at the fundamentals rather than patching symptoms.

usage

Formal register, common in editorial and policy writing. The companion idiom 标本兼治 (treat both symptoms and root) is often used alongside to balance 'radical fix' with 'immediate fix'.

Stroke Order

正 zhèng

本 běn

清 qīng

源 yuán