Definitions

zhuǎn (verb) to turn; to change direction; to transfer
zhuàn (verb) revolve; rotate; to circle; to walk about

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 转, originating from its traditional form 轉, is etymologically constructed from the semantic component 車, which associates it with vehicles or movement, and the phonetic element 專, guiding its pronunciation and initially implying a sense of focused motion, such as the pivoting of a wheel. Over time, its semantic scope widened from concrete acts of rotating or revolving to encompass more abstract notions like change, conversion, and the transfer of objects or ideas. The simplified form 转 preserves this phono-semantic logic by adapting the components to 车 and 专, a graphic refinement that retains the character's essential structure while mirroring broader patterns of orthographic streamlining. Through this progression, the character's applications multiplied to include meanings ranging from physical turning and circulation to metaphorical shifts in perspective or interpretation, reflecting a gradual semantic expansion anchored by its persistent compositional logic.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

车子弯了。

Chēzi zhuǎnwān le.

The car turned.

身离开了。

Tā zhuǎnshēn líkāi le.

He turned around and left.

火车轨了。

Huǒchē zhuǎnguǐ le.

The train switched tracks.

学去上海。

Tā zhuǎnxué qù Shànghǎi.

She transferred schools to Shanghai.

告他这个消息。

Qǐng zhuǎngào tā zhège xiāoxi.

Please pass this news to him.

他的态度变了。

Tā de tàidu zhuǎnbiàn le.

His attitude changed.

公司正在型中。

Gōngsī zhèngzài zhuǎnxíng zhōng.

The company is in the process of transforming.

这个项目需要换思路。

Zhège xiàngmù xūyào zhuǎnhuàn sīlù.

This project requires a shift in thinking.