演變 / 演变
yǎnbiàn
The English word evolution can be translated into Chinese as 演變 / 演变 (yǎnbiàn). If unsure, use 演變 / 演变. Wiktionary also lists 變遷 / 变迁 (biànqiān).
Meaning: general: a gradual process of development (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 演變 / 演变 | yǎnbiàn |
| 變遷 / 变迁 | biànqiān |
In Chinese, the term for evolution depends on the context. 演變 / 演变 refers to a gradual process of development. For the most common and general term used to describe the process of evolution, you can use the formal term 进化 (jìnhuà). In scientific contexts, the term 演化 (yǎnhuà) is often used to describe the gradual process of development and change over time.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 演變 consists of 演 (to perform/develop) and 變 (to change).
Which one should you use?
演變 / 演变 is used for the gradual development or evolution of a process, system or concept over time. In contrast, 變遷 / 变迁 is used specifically to describe the evolution or changes in a state of affairs, such as social changes or historical shifts in a landscape or era.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for 演變 / 演变 is yǎnbiàn.
Did you know?
- The word 进化 (jìnhuà), used for biological evolution, contains the character 进, meaning 'advance' or 'progress'. This reflects an early philosophical view that evolution is a linear climb toward a 'higher' or 'better' state.
- The character 遷 in 變遷 (biànqiān) originally referred to the movement of a capital city or the relocation of a people, giving the word a root meaning of physical displacement.
- The character 演 in 演變 also means 'to perform' or 'to act' on a stage. This suggests that the evolution of a system is seen as a continuous, unfolding performance of change.
Examples in context
- 这个物种的演化历程非常有趣。The evolutionary history of this species is fascinating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “evolution” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
