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变 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
变biànto changeHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 又, rank #334, Medium
变biànto become differentHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 又, rank #334, Medium
变biànto transformHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 又, rank #334, Medium
变biànto varyHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 又, rank #334, Medium
变biànrebellionHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 又, rank #334, Medium
变biànto change, to transform, to alter; rebelHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 又, rank #334, Medium
biàn(bian4) T4
  1. 1to change
  2. 2to become different
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
变(變)biàn(bian4)

The character 变 (biàn) primarily means 'to change' or 'to become different'. It is commonly used in contexts such as discussing transformations in nature, personal situations, or even abstract concepts. The nuance of the word can imply a significant or essential change rather than a trivial one, often reflecting a complete alteration in state or form.

Strokes8Radical又Frequency#334DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, change is often seen as a natural part of life, symbolized by the concept of yin and yang, which emphasizes balance and transformation. The character 变 can also connect to traditional practices like feng shui, which focuses on changing one's environment to promote harmony.

Memory Tip

Think of 变 (biàn) as the character for 'change' — it looks like a person (the left radical) undergoing a transformation (the right radical suggests movement). Imagine a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, a vivid image that embodies the essence of change and transformation.

Meanings of 变

biàn(bian4)
1to change
2to become different
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 变

变Simplified
變Traditional
8Strokes
又Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#334Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 变

JasonAmy

Podcast: 变

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 变

Quick Contrast

变 (biàn) vs 改 (gǎi) — use 变 for changes in state or form, while 改 is more about modification or correction.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 变 (biàn) as the character for 'change' — it looks like a person (the left radical) undergoing a transformation (the right radical suggests movement). Imagine a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, a vivid image that embodies the essence of change and transformation.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 变 with similar verbs like 改 (gǎi, to alter), which implies a less profound change. 变 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but is particularly prevalent in discussions about change in life, technology, or seasons. A common collocation is 变得 (biàn dé), meaning 'to become'.

HSK Study Tips

Although 变 is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it connects well with other verbs related to change and transformation. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and idioms, and practice conjugating it in various tenses to express change over time.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, change is often seen as a natural part of life, symbolized by the concept of yin and yang, which emphasizes balance and transformation. The character 变 can also connect to traditional practices like feng shui, which focuses on changing one's environment to promote harmony.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 变 with 改 (gǎi) and incorrectly use it in contexts that require a more subtle alteration. For example, saying '我想变这道菜' (I want to change this dish) might be better expressed as '我想改这道菜' (I want to modify this dish).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 变

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Etymology of 变

Explanation

Simplified form of 變. Phonosemantic compound. 夂 represents the meaning and 䜌 represents the sound.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 变?

Decomposition of 变

IDS Structure⿱亦又
变Full Character
=
亦yi4
top
又you4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 变?

Write 变

变

Practice writing 变 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 变

变 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons6
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这是一个变化的过程。

zhè shì yī gè biànhuà de guòchéng.

This is a process of change.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他喜欢也罢，不喜欢也罢，这个决定不会改____。

Whether he likes it or not, this decision will not change.

Common Confusions with 变

变vs辩
biàn

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to change"?

or

Usage Notes for 变

Confusing with similar verbsCommon Error

Learners often confuse 变 with verbs like 改 (gǎi) which means to change but in a more specific context.

1

他变了很多。

He has changed a lot.

2

他改了主意。

He changed his mind.

Use in various contextsGrammar Tip

变 can be used in both physical and abstract contexts, such as changing a situation or transforming a feeling.

1

天气变冷了。

The weather has turned cold.

2

他的态度变了。

His attitude has changed.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他____了很多。

He has changed a lot.

Example Sentences for 变 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我真的不明白为什么要改变它。

wǒ zhēn de bù míng bái wéi shí mó yào gǎi biàn tā。

I really don't see any reason for changing it.
2
对于现况的不满，不能只是抱怨，要有作出改变。

duì yú xiàn kuàng de bù mǎn， ， bù néng zhī shì bào， yuàn ， yào yǒu zuò chū。

If you're not satisfied with the life you're living, don't just complain. Do something about it.
3
我想让门前的花园变得五彩缤纷。

wǒ xiǎng ràng mén qián de huā yuán biàn dé wǔ cǎi bīn fēn。

I wanted the front garden to be a blaze of colour.
4
黑暗中我的听觉变得异常灵敏。

hēi àn zhōng wǒ de tīng jué biàn dé yì cháng líng mǐn。

In the dark my sense of hearing becomes so acute.
5
这种稍加变化的可口煎蛋卷做起来又快又容易。

zhè zhǒng shāo jiā biàn huà de kě kǒu jiān dàn juàn zuò qǐ lái yòu kuài yòu róng yì。

This delicious variation on an omelette is quick and easy to prepare.
6
你可以在页边空白处添加评论使文件变得富有个性。

nǐ kě yǐ zài yè biān kōng bái chǔ tiān jiā píng lùn shǐ wén jiàn biàn dé fù yǒu gè xìng。

You can individualize a document by adding comments in the margins.
7
你得把番茄烤到皮变黑为止。

nǐ dé bǎ fān qié kǎo dào pí biàn hēi wéi zhǐ。

You need to grill the tomatoes until the skins blacken.
8
你从今天早上就变卦了，是不是？

nǐ cóng jīn tiān zǎo shàng jiù biàn guà le， ， shì bù？

You've changed your tune since this morning, haven't you?
9
她的行动和思想变得扭曲了，她的态度也是。

tā de háng dòng hé sī xiǎng biàn dé niǔ qū le， ， tā de tài dù yě。

Her actions and thoughts became distorted. So did her behavior.
10
或许是你的雄辩使情况发生了变化。

huò xǔ shì nǐ de xióng biàn shǐ qíng kuàng fā shēng le biàn huà。

Perhaps your force of argument might have made some difference.

Cultural Notes for 变

💡Did you know?

在中国文化中，变化被视为生活中的常态。道家哲学强调变化的重要性，认为一切事物都是不断变化的，适应变化是智慧的表现。

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, change is often seen as a natural part of life, symbolized by the concept of yin and yang, which emphasizes balance and transformation. The character 变 can also connect to traditional practices like feng shui, which focuses on changing one's environment to promote harmony.

📜Proverb

有句中国谚语说：“不变应万变。”意思是要在变化中保持原则和灵活性。这反映了中国人对变化的深刻理解。

Word Family of 变

Words Containing This Character20
变biànto change變
改变gǎibiànto change改變
变成biànchéngto change into變成
变化biànhuàchange變化
变得to become變得
转变zhuǎnbiànto change轉變
变态abnormal變態
变形biànxíngdeformation變形
变动biàndòngto change變動
不变constant不變
病变lesion病變
变革biàngéto transform變革
变更biàngēngto change變更
变为biànwéito change into變為
变异biànyìvariation變異
演变yǎnbiànto develop演變
变性to denature變性
变换biànhuànto transform變換
突变mutation突變
变量variable (math.)變量
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 变 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 变

变 (biàn) generally implies a transformation or change in nature, while 改 (gǎi) focuses more on alteration or modification. For instance, you would use 变 when talking about a person changing their attitude, but you might use 改 when discussing changing a plan or correcting a mistake.