biànchéng: 变成 - To Become, To Turn Into, To Change Into

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb “变成” (biànchéng), meaning “to become” or “to turn into.” This page breaks down its meaning, character origins, and practical usage. Discover how to use 变成 to describe transformations from physical changes like water turning to ice, to abstract changes like dreams becoming reality. We'll clarify common mistakes, especially the difference between 变成 (biànchéng), 变 (biàn), and 变得 (biàn de), with 10+ practical example sentences to master its use in daily conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): biàn chéng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To change into something else; to become a new thing.
• In a Nutshell: 变成 (biànchéng) is used when something undergoes a transformation and ends up as a completely different noun. Think of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, or a pumpkin turning into a carriage. The key is that the result is a noun (A becomes B).

• 变 (biàn): This character means “to change” or “to transform.” Imagine it as the process of something altering its state.
• 成 (chéng): This character means “to complete,” “to succeed,” or “to become.” It signifies the result or the successful completion of an action.
• When combined, 变成 (biànchéng) literally means “change-complete” or “change-result.” It describes a process of change (`变`) that results (`成`) in a new identity or form.

While 变成 (biànchéng) isn't a deep philosophical concept like `关系 (guānxi)`, it's a cornerstone of storytelling and understanding change in a Chinese context. Transformation is a massive theme in Chinese folklore, from the Monkey King (孙悟空 Sūn Wùkōng) who can 变成 72 different things, to tales of spirits and gods taking human form. In Western culture, “to become” can be a gradual, internal process (e.g., “he became a better person”). Chinese `变成` often carries a stronger sense of a complete and sometimes sudden shift from one tangible state to another. It's less about the internal journey and more about the observable outcome. This highlights a practical, result-oriented aspect of the language. For instance, you wouldn't say someone `变成` a better person; you'd say he `变得更好 (biàn de gèng hǎo)` – “became better.” `变成` is reserved for when he turns into something else entirely, like `他变成了一个英雄 (tā biànchéngle yí ge yīngxióng)` – “He became a hero.”

`变成` is an extremely common verb used in everyday life, from casual conversation to more formal descriptions.

• Physical and Natural Changes: It's the default word for describing natural processes. (e.g., water freezing into ice, leaves changing color and becoming red leaves).
• Metaphorical and Abstract Changes: It's used for abstract concepts. (e.g., a small startup turning into a large corporation, a simple plan becoming a complicated mess).
• Storytelling and Fantasy: Essential for fairy tales, sci-fi, and fantasy. (e.g., the prince turned into a frog).
• Connotation: The word itself is neutral. The connotation (positive or negative) comes entirely from the result. For example, `梦想变成了现实 (mèngxiǎng biànchéngle xiànshí)` (dreams became reality) is positive, while `房子变成了废墟 (fángzi biànchéngle fèixū)` (the house turned into ruins) is negative.

• Example 1:
• 水变成了冰。
• Pinyin: Shuǐ biànchéng le bīng.
• English: The water turned into ice.
• Analysis: A classic, simple example of a physical state change. The particle `了 (le)` indicates the change has been completed.
• Example 2:
• 毛毛虫最后会变成蝴蝶。
• Pinyin: Máomáochóng zuìhòu huì biànchéng húdié.
• English: The caterpillar will eventually turn into a butterfly.
• Analysis: This shows a future transformation using `会 (huì)`. The structure is `A + 会 + 变成 + B`.
• Example 3:
• 经过努力，他的梦想变成了现实。
• Pinyin: Jīngguò nǔlì, tā de mèngxiǎng biànchéng le xiànshí.
• English: Through hard work, his dream became a reality.
• Analysis: A very common and positive abstract usage. `现实 (xiànshí)` is a noun meaning “reality.”
• Example 4:
• 在故事里，王子变成了一只青蛙。
• Pinyin: Zài gùshì lǐ, wángzǐ biànchéng le yì zhī qīngwā.
• English: In the story, the prince was turned into a frog.
• Analysis: Perfect for storytelling and fantasy contexts. Note the use of the measure word `只 (zhī)` for the frog.
• Example 5:
• 我不希望我们的友谊变成这样。
• Pinyin: Wǒ bù xīwàng wǒmen de yǒuyì biànchéng zhèyàng.
• English: I don't want our friendship to become like this.
• Analysis: Here, the result is `这样 (zhèyàng)` - “this way” or “like this,” which functions as a noun-like object in this context, describing the resulting state.
• Example 6:
• 为什么天空变成了红色？
• Pinyin: Wèishéme tiānkōng biànchéng le hóngsè?
• English: Why did the sky turn red?
• Analysis: Note that here `红色 (hóngsè)` (the color red) is treated as a noun. You are saying the sky became “the color red.”
• Example 7:
• 这家小公司十年后变成了世界五百强。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā xiǎo gōngsī shí nián hòu biànchéng le shìjiè wǔbǎi qiáng.
• English: This small company became a Fortune 500 company after ten years.
• Analysis: Shows a change in status or identity over a long period.
• Example 8:
• 如果你不小心，一个好计划会变成一个大麻烦。
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bù xiǎoxīn, yí ge hǎo jìhuà huì biànchéng yí ge dà máfan.
• English: If you're not careful, a good plan can turn into a big problem.
• Analysis: A conditional sentence using `如果 (rúguǒ)` to show a potential negative transformation.
• Example 9:
• 他把木头变成了一把漂亮的椅子。
• Pinyin: Tā bǎ mùtou biànchéng le yì bǎ piàoliang de yǐzi.
• English: He turned the wood into a beautiful chair.
• Analysis: This example uses the `把 (bǎ)` construction, which emphasizes what happened to the object (`木头 mùtou`). The structure is `Subject + 把 + Object A + 变成 + Object B`.
• Example 10:
• 爱情怎么会变成仇恨呢？
• Pinyin: Àiqíng zěnme huì biànchéng chóuhèn ne?
• English: How can love turn into hatred?
• Analysis: A rhetorical question showing the transformation of one abstract concept (`爱情 àiqíng`) into another (`仇恨 chóuhèn`). The `呢 (ne)` particle adds a questioning or pondering tone.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 变成 (biànchéng) with 变 (biàn) and 变得 (biàn de). They are not interchangeable. Rule of Thumb:

• `变成` + Noun: Use this when A turns into a new thing/identity B.
• `变 / 变得` + Adjective: Use these when something's quality changes.

Breakdown:

• 变成 (biànchéng) + Noun:
  • Correct: 青蛙变成了王子。(Qīngwā biànchéng le wángzǐ.) - The frog became a prince. (Prince is a noun).
  • Incorrect: 他变成了帅。(Tā biànchéng le shuài.) - `帅 (shuài)` is an adjective (handsome).
• 变 (biàn) + Adjective (usually single-character): Indicates a change in quality. Often used in `变 + Adj. + 了`.
  • Correct: 天变冷了。(Tiān biàn lěng le.) - The weather became cold.
  • Correct: 他变胖了。(Tā biàn pàng le.) - He got fat.
  • Incorrect: 天变了冷。(Tiān biàn le lěng.) - The adjective comes directly after `变`.
• 变得 (biàn de) + Adjective (often two-character or more complex): Also indicates a change in quality, but often feels more descriptive or emphatic than just `变`.
  • Correct: 他变得很开心。(Tā biàn de hěn kāixīn.) - He became very happy.
  • Correct: 气氛变得很尴尬。(Qìfēn biàn de hěn gāngà.) - The atmosphere became very awkward.
  • Incorrect: 他变得王子。(Tā biàn de wángzǐ.) - `王子` is a noun.

Summary of Mistakes:

• Don't use `变成` with an adjective: `他变成高了` is wrong. Use `他变高了` (He got taller).
• Don't use `变得` with a noun: `水变得冰` is wrong. Use `水变成了冰` (Water became ice).

• 变化 (biànhuà) - A noun for “change” or a general verb “to change.” `变化` is about the phenomenon of change itself, while `变成` is about the specific result. (e.g., `这个城市有很多变化。` - This city has many changes.)
• 改变 (gǎibiàn) - To change or to alter, often implying an external force or a conscious decision. (e.g., `我想改变我的坏习惯。` - I want to change my bad habits.)
• 成为 (chéngwéi) - To become. More formal than `变成` and used for roles, professions, or status, not physical transformations. (e.g., `他想成为一名医生。` - He wants to become a doctor.)
• 变 (biàn) - The root verb “to change.” It's the building block of all these words and is used alone with adjectives as explained above.
• 演变 (yǎnbiàn) - To evolve; to develop over time. Used for large-scale, gradual changes like evolution or the development of a society.
• 转换 (zhuǎnhuàn) - To convert, switch, or transform. Often used in technical contexts like converting file formats, currencies, or switching topics in a conversation.