變 meaning and stroke order
To change, to transform, to alter; rebel
How to write 變, stroke by stroke
23 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 變
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to change
- to become different
- to transform
- to vary
- rebellion
How 變 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. To foment 攵 rebellion 䜌.
Radical: 言 (words), shared by 155 characters on this site.
How to remember 變
The top part 䜌 shows tangled threads around words 言, a picture of unrest, and the bottom 攵 is a hand taking action. Stir up 攵 that tangled unrest 䜌 and things change, which is why 變 (biàn) means to change and once also meant rebellion.
變 (biàn) is a very common verb for change, often in compounds like 改變 (gǎibiàn) to change something, 變成 (biànchéng) to turn into, and 變化 (biànhuà) change. Example: 天氣變冷了。(Tiānqì biàn lěng le.) The weather has turned cold.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 變化 (biànhuà) and 改變 (gǎibiàn). 變化 describes something changing by itself, while 改變 means actively changing something, so say 改變計劃 (gǎibiàn jìhuà) to change the plan, not 變化計劃.
Common words with 變
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 改變 | gǎibiàn | to change; to alter | HSK 2 |
| 變成 | biànchéng | to change into; to turn into | HSK 2 |
| 變化 | biànhuà | (intransitive) to change; to vary; change; variation | HSK 3 |
| 轉變 | zhuǎnbiàn | to change; to transform | HSK 3 |
| 變為 | biànwéi | to change into | HSK 3 |
| 變動 | biàndòng | to change; to fluctuate | HSK 5 |
| 變形 | biànxíng | to become deformed; to change shape; to morph | HSK 6 |
| 變更 | biàngēng | to change; to alter | HSK 6 |
| 變換 | biànhuàn | to transform; to convert | HSK 6 |
| 變異 | biànyì | variation | HSK 7-9 |
| 變革 | biàngé | to transform; to change | HSK 7-9 |
| 演變 | yǎnbiàn | to develop; to evolve | HSK 7-9 |
| 一成不變 | yīchéng-bùbiàn | (idiom) immutable; impervious to change; set in stone | HSK 7-9 |
| 變質 | biànzhì | to degenerate; to deteriorate; (of food) to go bad; to go off | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 變
How many strokes are in 變?
變 is written with 23 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 變 mean?
變 (biàn) means to change, to transform, to alter; rebel. A common word with it is 改变 (gǎibiàn), meaning "to change; to alter".
How do you pronounce 變?
變 is pronounced biàn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 變?
The radical of 變 is 言, which carries the idea of "words". Dictionaries list 變 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 變?
變 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 变, used in mainland China and Singapore.
What is the difference between 變成 and 變為?
Both mean to turn into. 變成 (biànchéng) is everyday spoken Chinese, while 變為 (biànwéi) sounds more formal and written.
Why is it written 变 in mainland China?
变 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore. It replaces the complex top 䜌 with a simpler shape, but the meaning and the pronunciation biàn are the same.