变 vs 变化 vs 变成

变 (biàn), 变化 (biànhuà), and 变成 (biànchéng), these three words all relate to change, but they differ in grammar, emphasis, and usage.

1. 变 (biàn) – "To Change" (General, Flexible)

• Meaning: A general verb for change (can be natural or intentional).
• Grammar:
  • Can be intransitive (no object) or transitive (with object).
  • Often followed by a complement (e.g., 变好, 变坏, 变冷).
• Key Idea: Focuses on the fact of change (not the process or result).

Examples:

✅ 天气变了。 (Tiānqì biàn le.) – "The weather changed." (Intransitive)
✅ 她变漂亮了。 (Tā biàn piàoliang le.) – "She became prettier." (Adj. complement)
✅ 他变主意了。 (Tā biàn zhǔyì le.) – "He changed his mind." (Transitive, rare but possible)

Common Patterns:

• 变 + Adj. (变冷, 变热, 变聪明)
• 变 + 了 (表示状态变化)

2. 变化 (biànhuà) – "Change" (Noun or Intransitive Verb)

• Meaning: Refers to the process or result of change (often abstract).
• Grammar:
  • Noun: "A change" (e.g., 很大的变化).
  • Intransitive Verb: Can't take an object (❌ 变化颜色 ×).
• Key Idea: Emphasizes the transformation itself (not the outcome).

Examples:

✅ 中国发生了很大的变化。 (Zhōngguó fāshēng le hěn dà de biànhuà.) – "China has undergone big changes." (Noun)
✅ 他的态度变化了。 (Tā de tàidù biànhuà le.) – "His attitude changed." (Intransitive verb)
❌ 他变化了颜色。 (×) – Incorrect (变化 can't take an object; use 变 instead).

Common Patterns:

• 发生/有 + 变化 (e.g., 有变化吗？)
• 变化 + 大/小/快/慢 (e.g., 变化很快)

3. 变成 (biànchéng) – "To Turn Into" (Result-Oriented Change)

• Meaning: Indicates a clear transformation into something else.
• Grammar:
  • Must have an object (变成 + N.).
  • Focuses on the final result of the change.
• Key Idea: "A → B" transformation.

Examples:

✅ 水变成了冰。 (Shuǐ biànchéng le bīng.) – "Water turned into ice."
✅ 她变成了医生。 (Tā biànchéng le yīshēng.) – "She became a doctor."
❌ 天气变成。 (×) – Incorrect (must specify what it turns into).

Common Patterns:

• 变成 + Noun (e.g., 变成大人, 变成垃圾)
• 把 A 变成 B (e.g., 把房间变成办公室)

Comparison Table

Summary

• 变 (biàn) → General change (can be intransitive or transitive).
• 变化 (biànhuà) → The process/result of change (noun or intransitive verb).
• 变成 (biànchéng) → Transformation into something (must have an object).

Example Sentences:

1. 天气变冷了。 (The weather got cold.)
2. 城市变化很大。 (The city has changed a lot.)
3. 她变成了明星。 (She became a celebrity.)