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分化 (fēn huà) — (verb) to split apart, to divide into separate groups; (verb) to differentiate (e.g., cells in biology)

Definition

分化 describes a single group or whole splitting into distinct subgroups on its own (e.g. cells, a party). 区分 is the speaker drawing a distinction; 划分 is allocating parts of a whole; 分裂 is a more violent breakup.

verb
to split apartto divide into separate groupsto differentiate (e.g., cells in biology)

Examples

  • 分化。
    Zhè xiē zhèng cè fēn huà le shè huì.
    These policies split society apart.
  • 分化。
    Gàn xì bāo kě yǐ fēn huà chéng bù tóng xì bāo.
    Stem cells can differentiate into different cells.
  • 分化。
    Nà ge zhèng dǎng nèi bù fēn huà chéng le liǎng pài.
    That political party internally split into two factions.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

分fēndivide
化huàbecome

分 suggests dividing, and 化 contributes the sense of becoming, giving a process of differentiation.

Characters in this word

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

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

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

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Biology

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