变化
change; to change
biànhuà
What does 变化 mean?
变化 (biànhuà) means 'change' — both as a noun ('a change') and as an intransitive verb ('to change / transform'). It describes any shift from one state to another: weather, mood, plans, society, prices. It is the neutral, all-purpose word for 'change' and works in conversation, news, and formal writing. Two differences from English: first, 变化 is intransitive — you cannot 变化 something else.
To say 'change X' (transitive), use 改 (gǎi) or 改变 (gǎibiàn): 改变计划 (change a plan), not 变化计划; second, 变化 emphasizes the process or result of changing, while 变 (biàn) alone is a more dynamic verb meaning 'to become / turn into.' Common patterns: 发生变化 (a change occurs), 有变化 (there is a change), 变化很大 (big change). When you see the weather get colder or a city look different after years,
Character breakdown
to change; transform
to transform; -ize (suffix)
Memory hook: Two transformation characters together — 变 (change) and 化 (transform) compound into the noun 'change.'
Measure word for 变化
Example sentences
这几年北京的变化很大。
Zhè jǐ nián Běijīng de biànhuà hěn dà.
Beijing has changed a lot in the past few years.
neutral
今天的天气变化很快。
Jīntiān de tiānqì biànhuà hěn kuài.
Today's weather is changing quickly.
spoken
他的心情没有什么变化。
Tā de xīnqíng méiyǒu shénme biànhuà.
His mood hasn't really changed.
neutral
我们的计划发生了一些变化。
Wǒmen de jìhuà fāshēng le yìxiē biànhuà.
Our plan has gone through some changes.
neutral
Common phrases with 变化
Synonyms
改变 is transitive — you can 改变 something: 改变主意 (change one's mind), 改变世界 (change the world). 变化 is intransitive and noun-like — things 变化 on their own. Use 改变 when an agent is doing the changing.
Single-character 变 is more dynamic and often pairs with a result: 变好 (become better), 变冷 (turn cold). 变化 is more abstract and noun-like — the change itself rather than the act of turning into something.