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改变 (gǎi biàn) — to change, to alter, to transform

Definition

改变 means a real, noticeable change — in situation, appearance, or plan. It's broader and more result-focused than 改 (which leans toward correcting/editing text).

verb
to changeto alterto transform

Examples

  • 改变，。
    Tā gǎi biàn le fà xíng, kàn qǐ lái bù yí yàng le.
    He changed his hairstyle; he looks different.
  • 改变。
    Zhè ge chéng shì zhè xiē nián gǎi biàn le hěn duō.
    This city has changed a lot over the years.
  • 改变。
    Wǒ xiǎng gǎi biàn yí xià gōng zuò jì huà.
    I want to change the work plan a bit.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

改gǎialter
变biànchange

改 means alter and 变 means change, so together they express making something different.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攴攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì改gǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

An early form of 改 paired 巳 as a sound part with 攴 as a meaning part; the sound part later changed.

Open 改 →

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 →
Appears in
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