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 traditional form 轉 combines 車 (vehicle/wheel) as the semantic radical with 專 as the phonetic component. Its simplified form, 转, replaces these with 车 and 专 respectively, reducing the stroke count. The original meaning centers on the rotation of a wheel, derived from the vehicle radical. This sense of turning or pivoting later extended to abstract notions of transfer, shift, or change in direction, such as moving funds or altering one’s perspective, while consistently retaining the core idea of revolving around a point or shifting position.

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.