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变化 (biàn huà) — (intransitive verb) to change, to vary; (noun) change, variation

Definition

Both a verb and a noun meaning 'change' — commonly used for natural, gradual shifts (seasons, weather, life). More neutral and everyday than 改变, which implies deliberate transformation.

verb
(intransitive verb) to changeto vary
noun
changevariation
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 变化。
    Wǒ de shēng huó biàn huà le hěn duō.
    My life has changed a lot.
  • 变化。
    Zhè ge chéng shì yǒu le hěn dà de biàn huà.
    This city has seen big changes.
  • 变化。
    Tiān qì biàn huà dé hěn kuài.
    The weather changes quickly.

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
化huàchange

Both parts mean change, so together they describe a state shifting or varying.

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 →

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
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