换 (huàn) — to exchange, to swap; to change (clothes, etc.); to convert (currency)
Definition
换 is the everyday verb for swapping or changing one thing for another. 兑换 is used for currency/vouchers; 替换 is for formally substituting a part or person.
verb
to exchangeto swapto change (clothes, etc.)to convert (currency)
Easily confused
Examples
- 换。Wǒ měi tiān huí jiā dōu huàn yī fu.I change clothes every day when I get home.
- 换。Wǒ zài yín háng huàn le rén mín bì.I exchanged RMB at the bank.
- 换？Nǐ néng hé wǒ huàn yí xià dì fāng ma?Can you swap places with me?
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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.
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.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 3 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.