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演变 (yǎn biàn) — to evolve; to develop gradually

Definition

演变 (yǎn biàn) means gradual, often slow change over time — of societies, language, customs, ideas. 演化 is closer to biological evolution; 发育 is physical growth; 推移 is time passing or a situation shifting.

verb
to evolveto develop gradually

Examples

  • 演变。
    Shè huì jié gòu zài bú duàn yǎn biàn.
    The social structure is constantly evolving.
  • 演变。
    Yǔ yán suí zhe shí dài màn màn yǎn biàn.
    Language slowly evolves with the times.
  • 演变。
    Zhè ge xí sú jīng guò jǐ bǎi nián yǎn biàn chéng le xiàn zài de yàng zi.
    This custom evolved into its present form over several centuries.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

演yǎndevelop
变biànchange

演 and 变 both point to gradual change, giving the sense of evolving.

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
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
寅
寅yín演yǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

演 pairs 氵 (water) with 寅, which gives the sound yín.

Open 演 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Change & Process

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