Definitions

huà (verb) to change into; to transform
huà (particle) -ization; -ize (suffix indicating transformation)

Etymology

Pictograph of a right-side up person () and an upside-down person (𠤎), depicting the meaning "turn around" or "transform".

About

The character 化 is an ideogrammic compound formed by the radical 亻 (rén), meaning a person, placed beside the component 匕 (bǐ), which here depicts a person inverted. This visual contrast between an upright and an upside-down figure illustrates the core concept of transformation or change. Consequently, 化 primarily denotes processes like altering, converting, or melting, and often functions as a suffix in modern terms to indicate becoming a certain state, akin to English '-ization' or '-ify'.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

环境变很快。

Huánjìng biànhuà hěn kuài.

The environment is changing quickly.

中国文很有意思。

Zhōngguó wénhuà hěn yǒuyìsi.

Chinese culture is very interesting.

学是一门科学。

Huàxué shì yī mén kēxué.

Chemistry is a science.

这座城市正在现代

Zhè zuò chéngshì zhèngzài xiàndàihuà.

This city is modernizing.

雪在阳光下融了。

Xuě zài yángguāng xià rónghuà le.

The snow melted in the sunlight.

我们需要简工作流程。

Wǒmen xūyào jiǎnhuà gōngzuò liúchéng.

We need to simplify the work process.

这个系统能净空气。

Zhège xìtǒng néng jìnghuà kōngqì.

This system can purify the air.

全球带来了机遇与挑战。

Quánqiúhuà dàilái le jīyù yǔ tiǎozhàn.

Globalization has brought both opportunities and challenges.