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", whose traditional form is "轉", structurally combines the radical "車" for vehicle with the component "專", which historically served as a phonetic indicator and contributed to the sense of concentrated or pivotal motion, thus originally denoting the act of turning or revolving, as in a wheel's rotation. From this concrete meaning, its usage extended over time to include more abstract senses of change, transformation, and the transfer of objects, positions, or ideas. The simplified form "转" preserves the vehicle radical but replaces "專" with the streamlined component "专", continuing to represent the same core concepts of turning and change through a modified graphical structure.

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.