qìhòu biànhuà: 气候变化 - Climate Change

• Keywords: qihou bianhua, 气候变化, climate change in Chinese, how to say climate change in Mandarin, global warming in Chinese, environmental issues in China, Chinese environmental policy, 环境保护.
• Summary: Learn how to say and use “climate change” in Mandarin Chinese with the term 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà). This guide provides a deep dive into its meaning, character breakdown, and cultural significance in modern China. Discover how 气候变化 is discussed in the news, in government policy, and in daily life, complete with practical example sentences and related vocabulary for anyone interested in China's environmental issues.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qìhòu biànhuà
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The long-term, large-scale shift in the planet's weather patterns and average temperatures.
• In a Nutshell: 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà) is the direct and standard Chinese term for “climate change.” It is a formal, scientific term used widely in government reports, academic papers, news media, and serious discussions about the environment. It is composed of two distinct words: `气候 (qìhòu)` for “climate” and `变化 (biànhuà)` for “change.”

• 气 (qì): This character originally depicted vapor or steam rising. It broadly means “air,” “gas,” or “weather.”
• 候 (hòu): This character combines the “person” radical (亻) with a phonetic component. It means “season,” “climate,” or “to wait for.”
• 变 (biàn): This character signifies “to change” or “to become different.”
• 化 (huà): This character also means “to change” or “to transform.” It often implies a more profound or complete transformation than `变 (biàn)`.

When combined, `气候 (qìhòu)` literally translates to “the seasons of the air,” a very descriptive term for “climate.” `变化 (biànhuà)` is a common compound word meaning “change” or “variation.” Therefore, 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà) is a highly logical and literal construction meaning “climate's change.”

While “climate change” can be a politically polarized topic in some Western countries, 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà) in China is treated primarily as a scientific fact and a matter of national policy. The discussion is less about whether it is happening and more about how to address it. China's official stance and public discourse have evolved significantly. For years, the focus was on economic development. Today, tackling 气候变化 is a central part of China's national strategy, framed under the concept of building an “生态文明 (shēngtài wénmíng)” or “ecological civilization.” This represents a top-down, state-led approach to environmental governance, emphasizing technological solutions like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and large-scale reforestation projects. For an English speaker, the key difference is the nature of the public discourse. In China, you are far more likely to see news reports celebrating achievements in renewable energy capacity than you are to see public debates questioning the science of climate change. The term is a call to collective, national action rather than a point of individual political identity.

气候变化 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it always carries a serious tone.

• In the News and Government: This is its most common usage. News anchors, government officials, and policy documents use this term to discuss international agreements (like the Paris Agreement), national carbon reduction goals, and the impact of environmental changes on the country. The connotation is factual and urgent.
• In Daily Conversation: People might use 气候变化 to explain unusual weather patterns. For example, after an unusually severe heatwave or typhoon, someone might comment, “这都是气候变化的影响 (This is all the effect of climate change).“ It is used to connect local weather events to a larger global phenomenon.
• On Social Media: The term is used in discussions about environmental protection, sustainability, and green lifestyles. It often appears alongside hashtags like #环境保护 (environmental protection) or #低碳生活 (low-carbon lifestyle).

• Example 1:
  • 气候变化是一个严峻的全球性挑战。
  • Pinyin: Qìhòu biànhuà shì yīgè yánjùn de quánqiú xìng tiǎozhàn.
  • English: Climate change is a severe global challenge.
  • Analysis: This is a very common, formal sentence structure you would see in a news report or official statement.
• Example 2:
  • 科学家们正在研究气候变化对农业的影响。
  • Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài yánjiū qìhòu biànhuà duì nóngyè de yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: Scientists are researching the effects of climate change on agriculture.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the scientific context of the term. The structure “对…的影响 (duì… de yǐngxiǎng)” means “the effect on…”
• Example 3:
  • 我们每个人都应该为应对气候变化做出努力。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen měi gèrén dōu yīnggāi wèi yìngduì qìhòu biànhuà zuò chū nǔlì.
  • English: Every one of us should make an effort to combat climate change.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how the term is used to talk about personal responsibility. “应对 (yìngduì)” means “to deal with” or “to respond to.”
• Example 4:
  • 近年来，极端天气事件的增加与气候变化有关。
  • Pinyin: Jìnniánlái, jíduān tiānqì shìjiàn de zēngjiā yǔ qìhòu biànhuà yǒuguān.
  • English: In recent years, the increase in extreme weather events is related to climate change.
  • Analysis: This sentence links a specific phenomenon (extreme weather) to the broader concept. “与…有关 (yǔ… yǒuguān)” is a useful pattern for “is related to…”
• Example 5:
  • 你认为政府在减缓气候变化方面做得够吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ rènwéi zhèngfǔ zài jiǎnhuǎn qìhòu biànhuà fāngmiàn zuò dé gòu ma?
  • English: Do you think the government is doing enough to mitigate climate change?
  • Analysis: This is a good example of how to form a question about the topic. “减缓 (jiǎnhuǎn)” means “to slow down” or “mitigate.”
• Example 6:
  • 这部纪录片深刻地揭示了气候变化的现实。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jìlùpiàn shēnkè de jiēshìle qìhòu biànhuà de xiànshí.
  • English: This documentary profoundly reveals the reality of climate change.
  • Analysis: Shows how the term is used in the context of media and education.
• Example 7:
  • 发展可再生能源是应对气候变化的关键。
  • Pinyin: Fāzhǎn kě zàishēng néngyuán shì yìngduì qìhòu biànhuà de guānjiàn.
  • English: Developing renewable energy is key to tackling climate change.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects the problem to a specific solution, which is very common in Chinese policy discussions.
• Example 8:
  • 海平面上升是气候变化最直接的后果之一。
  • Pinyin: Hǎipíngmiàn shàngshēng shì qìhòu biànhuà zuì zhíjiē de hòuguǒ zhī yī.
  • English: Sea-level rise is one of the most direct consequences of climate change.
  • Analysis: A good example of using the term to discuss specific consequences. “后果 (hòuguǒ)” means “consequence” or “aftermath.”
• Example 9:
  • 国际社会必须合作，共同面对气候变化问题。
  • Pinyin: Guójì shèhuì bìxū hézuò, gòngtóng miàn duì qìhòu biànhuà wèntí.
  • English: The international community must cooperate to face the problem of climate change together.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the theme of international cooperation often found in discussions about climate change.
• Example 10:
  • 许多公司开始关注气候变化带来的商业风险。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō gōngsī kāishǐ guānzhù qìhòu biànhuà dài lái de shāngyè fēngxiǎn.
  • English: Many companies are starting to pay attention to the business risks brought by climate change.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the term's use in a business or economic context.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 气候 (qìhòu) with 天气 (tiānqì).

• 天气 (tiānqì) - Weather: Refers to the atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place (e.g., today, this week). It's short-term and changes quickly.
• 气候 (qìhòu) - Climate: Refers to the average weather conditions over a long period (e.g., decades, centuries). It's long-term and stable.

Incorrect: 今天气候不好，下雨了。(Jīntiān qìhòu bù hǎo, xià yǔle.)

• Why it's wrong: You are talking about today's weather, which is a short-term condition.
• Correct: 今天天气不好，下雨了。(Jīntiān tiānqì bù hǎo, xià yǔle.) - “The weather is bad today, it's raining.”

Therefore, 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà) refers to the change in the long-term system, not just a single hot summer or a strong storm. You would use 气候变化 to explain *why* there might be more hot summers in general, but you'd use 天气 to describe the heat on a specific day.

• 全球变暖 (quánqiú biànnuǎn) - Global Warming. This is a more specific term that is often seen as a primary driver and component of the broader concept of 气候变化.
• 环境保护 (huánjìng bǎohù) - Environmental Protection. This is the general field of action taken in response to issues like climate change.
• 可持续发展 (kěchíxù fāzhǎn) - Sustainable Development. A key policy goal that seeks to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
• 碳排放 (tàn páifàng) - Carbon Emissions. A major cause of climate change, often discussed in the context of “carbon neutrality” (碳中和 tàn zhōnghé).
• 极端天气 (jíduān tiānqì) - Extreme Weather. A major consequence and symptom of climate change.
• 可再生能源 (kězàishēng néngyuán) - Renewable Energy. A key solution, including solar (太阳能) and wind (风能) power.
• 空气污染 (kōngqì wūrǎn) - Air Pollution. A distinct but related environmental issue. Efforts to reduce air pollution often have co-benefits for mitigating climate change.
• 生态文明 (shēngtài wénmíng) - Ecological Civilization. A core concept in modern Chinese governance, representing the nation's high-level strategy for environmental and sustainable development.