演变
yǎnbiàn
to evolve, to develop (over time)
Part of speech · verb
Pattern visualization
no decomposition available
Examples
- 语言会随着时间不断演变。Language keeps evolving over time.
- 这座城市的样貌发生了很大演变。The look of this city has changed greatly over time.
Collocations
不断演变逐渐演变历史演变演变过程
Mnemonic
演 yǎn "to develop, unfold" + 变 biàn "to change": to develop and change, i.e. to evolve/change gradually over a long time (of language, society, forms; plain meaning and ordinary usage). Distinguish 演变 (gradual change over time) from 改变 (gǎibiàn, an active change). The 变 is in 变化 and 转变.
Related
变化演化转变改变
Quick check
What does 演变 mean?