化 meaning and stroke order
To make into; to change into; -ization
How to write 化, stroke by stroke
4 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Meaning of 化
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to make into
- to change into
- -ization
- to ... -ize
- to transform
- abbr. for 化學|化学[hua4 xue2]
- variant of 花[hua1]
How 化 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 匕 (spoon), shared by 4 characters on this site.
How to remember 化
化 is a person 亻 standing next to 匕, which looks like a person turned upside down. One person flips into a different position, so the character means to change or transform.
化 appears in many common words like 变化 (biànhuà, change) and 文化 (wénhuà, culture). Added after an adjective or noun, it works like English -ize or -ization, as in 现代化 (xiàndàihuà, modernization). Example: 天气变化很大。(Tiānqì biànhuà hěn dà.) The weather changes a lot.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 化 with 花 (huā, flower), which has the grass radical 艹 on top of 化 and a first tone. Also keep 匕 on the right short and hooked. Do not write it as 七 (qī, seven).
Common words with 化
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 变化 | biànhuà | (intransitive) to change; to vary; change; variation | HSK 3 |
| 文化 | wénhuà | culture; civilization | HSK 3 |
| 现代化 | xiàndàihuà | modernization | HSK 3 |
| 消化 | xiāohuà | to digest (food); (fig.) to absorb (information etc); to assimilate; to process | HSK 4 |
| 进化 | jìnhuà | to evolve (biologically, technologically etc); evolution | HSK 5 |
| 化石 | huàshí | fossil | HSK 5 |
| 转化 | zhuǎnhuà | to change; to turn; to convert; (genetics) to transform | HSK 5 |
| 强化 | qiánghuà | to strengthen; to intensify | HSK 6 |
| 化解 | huàjiě | to dissolve; to resolve (contradictions) | HSK 6 |
| 绿化 | lǜhuà | to make green with plants; to reforest | HSK 6 |
| 深化 | shēnhuà | to deepen; to intensify | HSK 6 |
| 融化 | rónghuà | to melt; to thaw | HSK 7-9 |
| 化妆 | huàzhuāng | to put on makeup | HSK 7-9 |
| 恶化 | èhuà | to worsen | HSK 7-9 |
化 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 化
Learning 化 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 化
How many strokes are in 化?
化 is written with 4 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 化 mean?
化 (huà) means to make into; to change into; -ization. A common word with it is 变化 (biànhuà), meaning "(intransitive) to change; to vary; change; variation".
How do you pronounce 化?
化 is pronounced huà, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 化?
The radical of 化 is 匕, which carries the idea of "spoon". Dictionaries list 化 under this radical.
Is 化 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 化 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
What does 化 mean when it stands alone, like in 化学?
In words like 化学 (huàxué, chemistry), 化 refers to chemical change. In some compounds it is a short form of 化学, as in 化工 (huàgōng, chemical industry).
Can I add 化 to any word to make an -ize verb?
No. Only set combinations sound natural, such as 现代化, 强化 (qiánghuà, to strengthen), and 简化 (jiǎnhuà, to simplify). It is safest to learn these words one by one instead of creating new ones.