About
The character for change, "变", is the simplified form of the traditional character "變", which is etymologically composed of the components for "threads/silk" (糸) and "to govern/punish" (攴) with the element "言" (words/speech) or sometimes "䜌" (disorderly speech) at its top, suggesting an original semantic field related to the deliberate alteration of an order or the unraveling and re-weaving of a situation. Over centuries, its meaning broadened from this specific notion of changing a decree or mandate to encompass the general and abstract concept of transformation, mutation, or alteration in all things. The modern simplified form "变" arose historically from centuries of cursive script abbreviation, retaining the top portion of the traditional character while replacing its complex lower half with the component "又", a common simplifying substitute in the writing system that serves a purely phonetic and structural function in this instance.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
天气变冷了。
我的计划改变了。
她变得非常高兴。
这座城市变化很大。
随着时间推移，事物都会变。
他的态度突然发生了转变。
如果你不努力，情况就不会变好。
科技的发展使我们的生活不断变化。