变为 (biàn wéi) — to change to; to become | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

变为 is a formal written verb meaning 'to change into / become', emphasizing a complete transformation. More literary than 变成; pairs with abstract or institutional nouns (地区∼开发区) rather than simple role changes.

verb

to change toto become

Examples

，变为。
Jīng guò gǎi gé, zhè ge dì qū biàn wéi le jīng jì kāi fā qū.
After reform, this area changed into an economic development zone.
，变为。
Tā de mèng xiǎng shì dāng yī shēng, dàn hòu lái què biàn wéi le yì míng jiào shī.
His dream was to be a doctor, but later he became a teacher.
，变为。
Suí zhe kē jì fā zhǎn, chuán tǒng nóng yè biàn wéi le xiàn dài nóng yè.
With the development of technology, traditional agriculture changed into modern agriculture.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

变 gives change and 为 gives become, describing change into a new state.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 變; 变 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攴攴pū

Sound part声符shēngfú

䜌

䜌䜌變biàn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 變 uses 䜌 as a sound part and 攴 as a meaning part.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

又又yòuhand
象象xiàngelephant

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Appears in

Change & Process

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