Definition
变样 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to change in appearance or style'. It's usually used when someone or something has changed so much that you can barely recognize them. The verb 变 and the noun 样 can split to insert aspect markers (了, 过) or measure words: 变了样 ('has changed in appearance'), 变过样 ('has changed before'). You cannot put an object after 变样 directly; instead describe what changed with 从…变成… or a context clause.
v.o.
to change in appearanceto look differentto be transformed
Examples
- ，变样，。Jǐ nián méi jiàn, nǐ biàn yàng le, wǒ dōu kuài rèn bu chūlai le.I haven't seen you in years — you've changed so much I almost can't recognize you.
- ，。Zhège chéngshì chèdǐ biàn le yàng, dàochù shì xīn dàlóu.This city has completely changed; new buildings are everywhere.
- ，变样。Lǎo fángzi jīngguò zhuāngxiū, wánquán biàn yàng le.After the renovation, the old house has completely changed its appearance.
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