TongTong
Sign in

蜕变 (tuì biàn) — to undergo a fundamental transformation (as in metamorphosis); to degenerate, to decay (figuratively or physically)

Definition

Literary/formal verb for a profound, often irreversible transformation. It covers both upward change (like metamorphosis) and downward decay or degeneration — the direction comes from context.

verb
to undergo a fundamental transformation (as in metamorphosis)to degenerateto decay (figuratively or physically)

Examples

  • 蜕变。
    Máo máo chóng jīng guò tuì biàn biàn chéng le měi lì de hú dié.
    The caterpillar underwent metamorphosis and became a beautiful butterfly.
  • ，蜕变。
    Yí gè shè huì zhì dù ruò quē fá gǎi gé, jiù huì zhú jiàn tuì biàn.
    If a social system lacks reform, it will gradually decay.
  • 蜕变。
    Fàng shè xìng yuán sù de tuì biàn guò chéng huì shì fàng néng liàng.
    The decay process of radioactive elements releases energy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

蜕tuìshed
变biànchange

“蜕变” combines “蜕” (shed or molt) with “变” (change), giving a fundamental transformation or decay.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 蜕 →

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
Change & Process

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