---
title: "Zhengzong Meaning: 正宗 (zhèngzōng) Means “authentic”"
description: "正宗 (zhèngzōng) means “authentic; genuine”. Hear its tones, see what 正 and 宗 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/zhengzong"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 正宗 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

正宗 zhèngzōng

## authentic; genuine

## It can also mean

- orthodox school

## Its characters

1. 正 zhèng straight
2. 宗 zōng authentic (as in 正宗)

## In a sentence

这家店的川菜很正宗。 The Sichuan food at this restaurant is very authentic.

[More about 正宗](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E6%AD%A3%E5%AE%97)

## More words with 正 or 宗

- [反正 fǎnzhèng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/fanzheng)
- [改正 gǎizhèng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/gaizheng)
- [公正 gōngzhèng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/gongzheng)
- [纠正 jiūzhèng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jiuzheng)
- [修正 xiūzhèng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xiuzheng)
- [正版 zhèngbǎn](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/zhengban)
- [正常 zhèngcháng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/zhengchang)
- [正当 zhèngdàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/zhengdang)
- [正规 zhèngguī](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/zhenggui)
- [正好 zhènghǎo](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/zhenghao)

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