Definitions
(verb)
to change into; to transform
(particle)
-ization; -ize (suffix indicating transformation)
Etymology
Pictograph of a right-side up person (亻) and an upside-down person (𠤎), depicting the meaning "turn around" or "transform".
About
The character "化" is structurally formed from the human radical 亻 and the component 匕, the latter functioning phonetically and semantically to suggest alteration or reversal. Its earliest attested meaning centered on transformation or change, specifically the process of one entity converting into another. This fundamental concept of metamorphosis extended over time to encompass associated ideas of influence, education, and cultural development, reflected in classical formations such as 教化 (to instruct) and 文化 (culture). In contemporary usage, the character maintains its primary sense of change while constituting key terms in various domains, including 化学 (chemistry) and 变化 (change).
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
环境变化很快。
中国文化很有意思。
化学是一门科学。
这座城市正在现代化。
雪在阳光下融化了。
我们需要简化工作流程。
这个系统能净化空气。
全球化带来了机遇与挑战。