Chinese word

演变

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǎn biàn

Meaning

  • verbchange

Example

事情正在演变，我们要注意。shì qíng zhèng zài yǎn biàn wǒ men yào zhù yì

The situation is changing, so we need to pay attention.

Illustration for 演变 (change)

More examples

社会习俗随时间慢慢演变为新的形式。shè huì xí sú suí shí jiān màn màn yǎn biàn wéi xīn de xíng shì

Social customs slowly evolve into new forms over time.

Core concept

One state opening into the next through a connected chain of changes.

Common phrases

  • 不断演变bú duàn yǎn biàn

    change constantly

  • 逐步演变成zhú bù yǎn biàn chéng

    gradually evolve into

  • 演变为yǎn biàn wéi

    evolve into

Similar words

变化biàn huà: Change in nature, condition, or state without specifying the direction.
改变gǎi biàn: Cause something to become different from its previous state.
发展fā zhǎn: Grow and improve gradually through a series of stages.

Definition in Chinese

表示事件或状况在时间流逝中逐步演化，强调变化的趋向与过程。biǎo shì shì jiàn huò zhuàng kuàng zài shí jiān liú shì zhōng zhú bù yǎn huà qiáng diào biàn huà de qū xiàng yǔ guò chéng

Word origin

演变 (yǎnbiàn, "change gradually") is formed from 演 (yǎn, "unfold") plus 变 (biàn, "change"), which frames development as a connected process.

Usage tips

  • English often uses "change" for both a single switch and a long process, while this verb is especially useful when the changing direction still matters.

Other meanings

  • developverb
  • progressverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word