HSK Guide

改变改變 gǎibiànto change, to alter; a change

gǎibiàn (third tone, dipping)gai3bian4

Traditional: 改變

to change, to alter; a change

HSK 4· HSK 1–4 (classic)verbnounMeasure word
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Meanings

  1. to change, to alter; a change

    改, to correct or alter, joined to 变, the same "change" that stands alone in 变化. Where 变化 reports that something is different, often on its own, 改变 usually names who or what did the changing, and reaches for an object: 改变计划, 改变一个人的想法.

    verb

Example sentences

  • 这些年,这个城市改变了很多。這些年,這個城市改變了很多。Zhèxiē (fourth tone, falling) nián, (second tone, rising) zhège (fourth tone, falling) chéngshì (second tone, rising) gǎibiànle (third tone, dipping) hěn (third tone, dipping) duō. (first tone, high and level)···

    Over these years, this city has changed a lot.

  • 他决定改变自己的习惯。他決定改變自己的習慣。 (first tone, high and level) juédìng (second tone, rising) gǎibiàn (third tone, dipping) zìjǐ (fourth tone, falling) de (neutral tone) xíguàn. (second tone, rising)···

    He decided to change his habits.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite这个城市有很多改变。

    Correct这个城市有很多变化。

    变化 is the noun for change that simply shows up — a city, the weather, a person over time. 改变 leans toward the deliberate act or a single, nameable alteration.