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变质 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
变质biànzhìto degenerateHSK 6, n, 16 strokes, rank #13761, Hard
变质biànzhìto go badHSK 6, n, 16 strokes, rank #13761, Hard
变质biànzhìto deteriorateHSK 6, n, 16 strokes, rank #13761, Hard
变质biànzhìmetamorphosisHSK 6, n, 16 strokes, rank #13761, Hard
biànzhì(bian4zhi4)bian zhi T4
  1. 1to degenerate
  2. 2to go bad
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March 24, 2026

变质(變質)biànzhì(bian4zhi4)

变质 (bian4 zhi4) refers to the process of something deteriorating or going bad, often used in contexts like food spoilage, quality decline, or moral degradation. It can also imply a transformation into a different state or condition, suggesting a significant change that is generally negative.

Strokes16Frequency#13761DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 变质 can also relate to discussions about societal changes and moral standards, particularly during times of rapid modernization and globalization, where traditional values are perceived to deteriorate.

Memory tip

Think of 变 (bian4) as 'changing' and 质 (zhi4) as 'quality.' Imagine a piece of fruit that changes from fresh to rotten; it’s a vivid reminder that its quality has degenerated, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Meanings of 变质

biànzhì(bian4zhi4)
1to degenerate
2to go bad
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 变质

变质Simplified
變質Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13761Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 变质

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Podcast: 变质

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AI study notes for 变质

Quick Contrast

劣化 (lièhuà) — use 变质 for changes that imply spoilage or moral decline, while 劣化 focuses more on degradation in quality without necessarily implying spoilage.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 变质, as it often carries a negative connotation. It can be used formally in discussions about science, food safety, or ethics. Common collocations include 变质食品 (bian4 zhi4 shi2 pin3 - spoiled food) and 变质道德 (bian4 zhi4 dao4 de2 - moral degeneration).

HSK Study Tips

As a HSK 6 word, 变质 is important for discussing advanced topics in Chinese, especially those related to health, ethics, and change. Focus on understanding its usage in various contexts to enhance your vocabulary and comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 变质 with 变化 (bian4 hua4 - change), using it in contexts where positive change is intended. For example, saying '这个计划变质了' (This plan has gone bad) when they mean '这个计划变化了' (This plan has changed) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 变质

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Component characters

变biànto change
HSK 38 strokes又
View full entry
质zhìcharacter
HSK 58 strokes厂
View full entry

How to say to degenerate in Chinese

“to degenerate” in Chinese is变质biànzhì

变质 (bian4 zhi4) refers to the process of something deteriorating or going bad, often used in contexts like food spoilage, quality decline, or moral degradation. It can also imply a transformation into a different state or condition, suggesting a significant change that is generally negative.

When to use 变质

Be mindful of the context in which you use 变质, as it often carries a negative connotation. It can be used formally in discussions about science, food safety, or ethics. Common collocations include 变质食品 (bian4 zhi4 shi2 pin3 - spoiled food) and 变质道德 (bian4 zhi4 dao4 de2 - moral degeneration).

变质 or something close to it

劣化 (lièhuà) — use 变质 for changes that imply spoilage or moral decline, while 劣化 focuses more on degradation in quality without necessarily implying spoilage.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 变质 with 变化 (bian4 hua4 - change), using it in contexts where positive change is intended. For example, saying '这个计划变质了' (This plan has gone bad) when they mean '这个计划变化了' (This plan has changed) is incorrect.

Write 变质

变
质

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

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Grammar patterns of 变质

变质 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

那块肉闻起来有点____了。

That meat smells a bit iffy to me.

Example sentences for 变质 (5)

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1
那块肉闻起来有点变质了。

nà kuài ròu wén qǐlái yǒu diǎn biànzhì le。

That meat smells a bit iffy to me.
2
我们都知道油脂变质后会发臭。

wǒmen dōu zhīdào yóu zhī biànzhì hòu huì fā chòu。

We all know that fats spoil by becoming rancid.
3
有些生物会导致食物变质并引起食物中毒。

yǒuxiē shēngwù huì dǎozhì shíwù biànzhì bìng yǐnqǐ shíwù zhòngdú。

Some organisms are responsible for spoiling food and cause food poisoning.
4
加里东期~印支期区域变质作用与成矿密切相关.

jiā lǐ dōng qī~ yìn zhī qī qūyù biànzhì zuòyòng yǔ chéng kuàng mìqiè xiāngguān.

The metallogenesis is close related with the Caledonian - Indosinian regional metamorphism.
5
他们买了太多牛肉,有些都变质了。

tāmen mǎi le tài duō niúròu, yǒuxiē dōu biànzhì le。

They bought so much beef that some went bad.

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Frequently asked questions about 变质

变质 is commonly used in contexts related to food spoilage, moral decline, or quality deterioration.

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