to change; to alter; to correct; to revise
改 joins the self side 己 with the action hand: to change or correct something — 改变, 修改, 改正. Watch the left side: it is 己, not 已.
GF0025–2021 character list · 二级WHOLE GLYPH & STRUCTURE
ZDIC: 会意，从攵、从己. The header also flags the writing: the left side is 己, not 已.
WHOLE CHARACTER
to change; to alter; to correct; to revise
改 joins the self side 己 with the action hand: to change or correct something — 改变, 修改, 改正. Watch the left side: it is 己, not 已.
ZDIC: 会意，从攵、从己. The header also flags the writing: the left side is 己, not 已.
MEANING: THE SELF SIDE 己 (JǏ) — THE SOURCE PAIRS SELF WITH ACTION: TO CHANGE ONESELF
self
Standalone meaning is kept separate from its sound role.
In 改: meaning: the self side 己 (jǐ) — the source pairs self with action: to change oneself Written as 己, not 已 (ZDIC header note).
ACTION SIDE: THE TAP/STRIKE HAND 攵 (FROM 攴)
the tap/strike hand (from 攴)
The action-hand radical in many characters; not a standalone modern word. Each page shows its role in that character.
In 改: action side: the tap/strike hand 攵 (from 攴) Shown with its documented or clearly limited role.
Checking for a Mandarin voice…