Chinese word

变色

Pronunciation

Pinyinbiàn sè

Meaning

  • verbchange color

Example

这件旧衬衫洗了几次就变色了。zhè jiàn jiù chèn shān xǐ le jǐ cì jiù biàn sè le

This old shirt changed color after a few washes.

Illustration for 变色 (change color)

More examples

听到这个消息，他的脸一下子就变色了。tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī tā de liǎn yí xià zi jiù biàn sè le

When he heard the news, his face suddenly changed color.

Core concept

A visible shift from an object's or person's usual color or look to a different one.

Common phrases

  • 衣服变色yī fú biàn sè

    clothes discolor

  • 脸色变色liǎn sè biàn sè

    face changes color

  • 树叶变色shù yè biàn sè

    leaves change color

Similar words

褪色tuì shǎi: To slowly become less bright or strong in color, often from age or sunlight.
掉色diào sè: To lose color from washing or rubbing, especially when used for cloth.
发白fā bái: To become pale or whitish in color, especially of a face or surface.

Definition in Chinese

颜色或外观从一种状态转为另一种，既可指物体因日晒、洗涤或化学反应而改变，也可比喻人的面色或表情发生变化。yán sè huò wài guān cóng yì zhǒng zhuàng tài zhuǎn wéi lìng yì zhǒng jì kě zhǐ wù tǐ yīn rì shài xǐ dí huò huà xué fǎn yìng ér gǎi biàn yě kě bǐ yù rén de miàn sè huò biǎo qíng fā shēng biàn huà

Word origin

变色 (biànsè, "change color") combines 变 (biàn, "change") with 色 (sè, "color or complexion"), so it applies to changed surfaces as well as changed facial color.

Usage tips

  • English often uses a noun for a fabric's loss of color, but Chinese uses this verb directly when the fabric, paint, or face is the subject.

Other meanings

  • discolorationnoun
  • turn paleverb

Related words

  • 变色龙biàn sè lóngchameleonnoun

Word lists with this word