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变动 (biàn dòng) — to change (in plans, policies, situations); to fluctuate (in prices, numbers, data)

Definition

变动 covers a concrete, often large-scale change in plans, policies, or numbers. Compared to 变化 (more general, can be gradual), 变动 implies a more notable shift.

verb
to change (in plans, policies, situations)to fluctuate (in prices, numbers, data)

Examples

  • 变动。
    Gōng sī de jì huà zuì jìn biàn dòng le.
    The company's plan recently changed.
  • 变动。
    Gǔ shì de jià gé biàn dòng hěn dà.
    Stock market prices fluctuate a lot.
  • 变动。
    Huán jìng biàn dòng huì yǐng xiǎng wǒ men de jué dìng.
    Environmental changes will affect our decision.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

变biànchange
动dòngmove

The parts mean change and move, together indicating alteration or fluctuation.

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.

Open 变 →

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 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
重
重zhòng動dòng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Open 动 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Change & Process

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