变 meaning and stroke order
To change; to become different; to transform
How to write 变, stroke by stroke
8 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 变
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to change
- to become different
- to transform
- to vary
- rebellion
How 变 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 又 (and), shared by 21 characters on this site.
How to remember 变
变 is built from 亦 (yì, also) on top of 又 (yòu, again). Picture something that is "also" different "again" and again, and you have something that keeps changing.
变 is a common verb meaning to change or become different, and it often pairs with a result word, as in 变成 (biànchéng) or 变大 (biàn dà). Use 变化 (biànhuà) for change as a noun or a general process, and 改变 (gǎibiàn) when someone actively changes something. Example: 天气变冷了。(Tiānqì biàn lěng le.) The weather has turned cold.
Common mistake: Learners often use 变 alone with an object, as in 变计划, when they mean "to change the plan". That should be 改变计划 (gǎibiàn jìhuà), because 变 by itself usually describes something becoming different. Also watch the top part: it is 亦 with four dots under the cover, not 赤 (chì).
Common words with 变
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 改变 | gǎibiàn | to change; to alter | HSK 2 |
| 变成 | biànchéng | to change into; to turn into | HSK 2 |
| 变化 | biànhuà | (intransitive) to change; to vary; change; variation | HSK 3 |
| 转变 | zhuǎnbiàn | to change; to transform | HSK 3 |
| 变为 | biànwéi | to change into | HSK 3 |
| 变动 | biàndòng | to change; to fluctuate | HSK 5 |
| 变形 | biànxíng | to become deformed; to change shape; to morph | HSK 6 |
| 变更 | biàngēng | to change; to alter | HSK 6 |
| 变换 | biànhuàn | to transform; to convert | HSK 6 |
| 变异 | biànyì | variation | HSK 7-9 |
| 变革 | biàngé | to transform; to change | HSK 7-9 |
| 演变 | yǎnbiàn | to develop; to evolve | HSK 7-9 |
| 一成不变 | yīchéng-bùbiàn | (idiom) immutable; impervious to change; set in stone | HSK 7-9 |
| 变质 | biànzhì | to degenerate; to deteriorate; (of food) to go bad; to go off | HSK 7-9 |
变 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 变
How many strokes are in 变?
变 is written with 8 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 变 mean?
变 (biàn) means to change; to become different; to transform. A common word with it is 改变 (gǎibiàn), meaning "to change; to alter".
How do you pronounce 变?
变 is pronounced biàn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 变?
The radical of 变 is 又, which carries the idea of "and". Dictionaries list 变 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 变?
The traditional form of 变 is 變. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 变 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 变 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 变 is part of the HSK 2 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
What is the difference between 变化 and 改变?
变化 (biànhuà) usually describes something changing on its own and works well as a noun, as in 很大的变化 (a big change). 改变 (gǎibiàn) usually takes an object and suggests a deliberate change, as in 改变主意 (change one's mind).
How do I say "to become" something with 变?
Use 变成 (biànchéng) or 变为 (biànwéi) before a noun, as in 水变成冰 (water turns into ice). Before an adjective, use 变 directly, often with 了, as in 他变胖了 (he got heavier).