转变 (zhuǎn biàn) — to change, to transform

Definition

转变 (zhuǎnbiàn) emphasizes a thorough shift in direction, mindset, or state — often a conscious turning from one state to another. Compare 改变 (any change, light or big) and 转换 (switching between systems, formats, or roles).

verb
to changeto transform
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 转变。
    Tā de shēng huó zhuǎn biàn le hěn duō.
    His life has changed a lot.
  • 转变。
    Zhè ge jì huà xū yào wán quán zhuǎn biàn.
    This plan needs to be completely changed.
  • 转变。
    Tā jué dìng zhuǎn biàn zì jǐ de zhí yè fāng xiàng.
    He decided to change his career direction.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

转zhuǎnchange
变biànchange

转 and 变 both express changing, so together they mean a complete shift.

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 轉; 转 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
車車jūcarriage
Sound part声符shēngfú
專
專zhuān轉zhuǎn
Same sound today

The traditional form 轉 combines 車, a carriage, with 專 as a sound part; the simplified 转 is a later shorthand.

Open 转 →

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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