to change; to exchange; to switch
HSK level
换 is written with 10 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
换 (huàn) is a verb meaning 'to change, exchange, swap, or replace' — used whenever one thing is substituted for another.
It covers: changing money (换钱 'exchange money'), changing clothes (换衣服), switching seats (换位子), replacing a battery (换电池), and trading items (我们换换 'let's swap'). English uses different verbs (change, swap, exchange, replace, switch); Chinese unifies them under 换. Two notes for learners: first, 换 typically takes a direct object (换衣服) or appears in a 把-construction (把这个换一下); second, distinguish 换 from 变 (biàn 'to change / transform').
换 means physical substitution (one item replaced by another); 变 means transformation (something becomes different). 我换工作 = I get a new job. 我变胖了 = I got fat.
我想换一双鞋。
Wǒ xiǎng huàn yì shuāng xié.
I want to change (into) a different pair of shoes.
spoken
他在银行换了一点美元。
Tā zài yínháng huànle yìdiǎn měiyuán.
He exchanged some US dollars at the bank.
neutral
我们换个地方吃饭吧。
Wǒmen huàn ge dìfang chīfàn ba.
Let's change to a different place to eat.
spoken
她去年换了工作。
Tā qùnián huànle gōngzuò.
She changed jobs last year.
neutral
请把电池换一下。
Qǐng bǎ diànchí huàn yíxià.
Please replace the battery.
neutral
变 means 'to become / transform' — a thing changes its own state (天气变冷了 'the weather got cold'). 换 means substitution — replacing A with B (换衣服 'change clothes'). One transforms, the other swaps.
改 means 'to modify / alter / correct' (改名字 'change one's name,' 改作业 'correct homework'). 换 means physical substitution. You 改 details within something; you 换 the whole thing.
交换 is mutual exchange — two parties trading (交换礼物 'exchange gifts'). 换 can be one-sided (just swap this out). 交换 always implies both sides give and receive.
Easy beginner mix-up. 变 = self-transformation (weather changes, mood changes, prices change). 换 = swap one thing for another. 钱变多了 (money became more) vs 换钱 (exchange currency).
Same pinyin, similar look. 唤 means 'to call / summon' (呼唤 'call out'). 换 is to swap. Different radicals: 换 has 扌 (hand), 唤 has 口 (mouth).
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