Meaning of 变为
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to change into
How to use 变为
变为 is a slightly formal verb that needs an object showing the result of the change. It often appears in writing, news, and descriptions of processes. Example: 水变为冰。(Shuǐ biànwéi bīng.) Water turns into ice.
变为 joins 变 (biàn), to change, with 为 (wéi), to be or to act as. Something changes and then is something new: 变 + 为 = to change into.
Common mistake: Learners often read 为 here as wèi, the tone used in 为什么 (wèi shénme) and 因为 (yīnwèi). In 变为 it is second tone, wéi, the same as in 成为 (chéngwéi) and 认为 (rènwéi).
变为 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
变 biàn · to change · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
为 wèi · because of · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 变为.
| 为什么 | wèi shénme | why?; for what reason? |
| 因为 | yīnwèi | because; owing to; on account of |
| 认为 | rènwéi | to believe; to think; to consider; to feel |
| 以为 | yǐwéi | to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless refe |
| 成为 | chéngwéi | to become; to turn into |
| 改变 | gǎibiàn | to change; to alter |
| 变成 | biànchéng | to change into; to turn into |
| 行为 | xíngwéi | action; conduct; behavior; activity |
| 为了 | wèile | for; for the purpose of; in order to |
| 变化 | biànhuà | (intransitive) to change; to vary; change; variation |
| 称为 | chēngwéi | to be called; to be known as; to call it "..." |
| 转变 | zhuǎnbiàn | to change; to transform |
Questions about 变为
What does 变为 mean?
变为 (biànwéi) means "to change into".
How do you write 变为?
变为 is made of 2 characters: 变 (8 strokes), 为 (4 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 变为 an HSK word?
Yes. 变为 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 变为 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 变为 is written 變為.
What is the difference between 变为 and 成为?
变为 stresses a change from one state into another, like water into ice. 成为 (chéngwéi) means to become and is often used for people reaching a role or status, as in 成为医生 (chéngwéi yīshēng), to become a doctor.
Can I just say 变成 instead of 变为?
Yes. 变成 (biànchéng) means the same thing and is more common in everyday speech. 变为 sounds a little more formal and written.