变速 (biàn sù) — to change speed; to shift gears (for vehicles or machinery)

Definition

Used for mechanically changing speed, especially shifting gears on a vehicle or machine. In cycling, 变速 refers specifically to using the derailleur to make pedaling easier.

verb
to change speedto shift gears (for vehicles or machinery)

Examples

  • 变速。
    Zhè liàng chē kě yǐ zì dòng biàn sù.
    This car can change speed automatically.
  • ，。
    Qí zì xíng chē de shí hou, nǐ biàn yí xià sù jiù huì qīng sōng hěn duō.
    When riding a bicycle, if you shift the gears once, it'll be much easier.
  • ，变速。
    Tā kāi de shì shǒu dòng dǎng de chē, bì xū zì jǐ biàn sù.
    He drives a manual car, so he has to shift gears himself.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

变biànchange
速sùspeed

“变” means change and “速” means speed, so it means to change speed or shift gears.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
束
束shù速sù
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

速 pairs 辵, the walking part, with 束, which is used for its sound; the walking part fits the meaning of moving fast.

Open 速 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.