Meaning of 改变
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to change
- to alter
- to transform
How to use 改变
改变 is usually transitive and takes an object such as a plan, habit, idea, or situation. It can also be a noun meaning a change. Example: 这本书改变了我的想法。(Zhè běn shū gǎibiàn le wǒ de xiǎngfǎ.) This book changed my way of thinking.
改 (gǎi) means to correct or alter, and 变 (biàn) means to change. Put two kinds of change together and you get 改变 (gǎibiàn), a full change or transformation.
Common mistake: Learners often use 改变 where 变化 (biànhuà) fits better. 变化 describes something changing by itself, so say 天气变化很大 (the weather changes a lot), not 天气改变很大. Also, both syllables are not the same tone: 改 is third tone, 变 is fourth tone.
改变 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.
改 gǎi · to change · 7 strokes
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变 biàn · to change · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 改变.
| 变成 | biànchéng | to change into; to turn into |
| 变化 | biànhuà | (intransitive) to change; to vary; change; variation |
| 修改 | xiūgǎi | to amend; to alter |
| 改造 | gǎizào | to transform; to reform |
| 转变 | zhuǎnbiàn | to change; to transform |
| 改进 | gǎijìn | to improve; to make better; improvement |
| 变为 | biànwéi | to change into |
| 改善 | gǎishàn | to make better; to improve |
| 改正 | gǎizhèng | to correct; to amend |
| 改革 | gǎigé | reform; to reform |
| 变动 | biàndòng | to change; to fluctuate |
| 变形 | biànxíng | to become deformed; to change shape; to morph |
Questions about 改变
What does 改变 mean?
改变 (gǎibiàn) means "to change; to alter" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 改变?
改变 is made of 2 characters: 改 (7 strokes), 变 (8 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 改变 an HSK word?
Yes. 改变 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 改变 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 改变 is written 改變.
What is the difference between 改变 and 变成?
改变 means to change something, and the object is the thing being changed. 变成 means to turn into something, and the object is the result. 他变成了老师 means he became a teacher.
Can 改变 be used as a noun?
Yes. You can say 这是一个很大的改变 (Zhè shì yí gè hěn dà de gǎibiàn), which means this is a big change. It often appears with verbs like 有 or 带来, as in 带来改变 (bring change).