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变换 (biàn huàn) — to change, to transform (form, position, method, etc.); to alternate, to vary, to switch between options

Definition

变换 (biàn huàn) is a transitive verb meaning to deliberately switch or alter form, method, or position — often between options. Closer to 转换 ('convert, switch states'), more active/deliberate than the intransitive 变化 ('change by itself').

verb
to changeto transform (form, position, method, etc.)to alternateto varyto switch between options

Examples

  • 变换。
    Tā xǐ huan biàn huàn bù tóng de gōng zuò fāng fǎ.
    He likes to vary the way he works.
  • 变换。
    Zhè ge tú àn kě yǐ biàn huàn yán sè hé dà xiǎo.
    This pattern can change in color and size.
  • 变换。
    Wǒ men xū yào biàn huàn yí xià jìn gōng cè lüè.
    We need to switch up our attack strategy.

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
换huànswap

The parts mean change and swap, so together they describe alternating or converting one thing for another.

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 換; 换 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
奐
奐huàn換huàn
Same sound today

For the traditional form 換, 手 is the hand part and 奐 gives the sound; this note is about 換, not the simplified 换.

Open 换 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Change & Process

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