改变 (gǎibiàn)

改变 refers to a meaningful shift or transformation in something — a state, a plan, an attitude, or a situation — and works as both verb and noun.

Meanings

[verb] To change, to alter, to transform.
[noun] A change, an alteration, a transformation.

Example Sentences

出国留学的经历从根本上改变了他看待世界的方式。 Chūguó liúxué de jīnglì cóng gēnběn shàng gǎibiàn le tā kàndài shìjiè de fāngshì. The experience of studying abroad fundamentally changed the way he sees the world.

面对困境，她没有抱怨，而是努力改变现状。 Miàn duì kùnjìng, tā méiyǒu bàoyuàn, ér shì nǔlì gǎibiàn xiànzhuàng. Faced with adversity, she did not complain but worked hard to change the situation.

这座城市在过去二十年里发生了翻天覆地的改变。 Zhè zuò chéngshì zài guòqù èrshí nián lǐ fāshēng le fāntiānfùdì de gǎibiàn. This city has undergone earth-shattering changes over the past twenty years.

科技的进步正在以惊人的速度改变我们的生活方式。 Kējì de jìnbù zhèngzài yǐ jīngrén de sùdù gǎibiàn wǒmen de shēnghuó fāngshì. Advances in technology are changing our way of life at an astonishing pace.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
改变主意	to change one's mind
改变现状	to change the status quo
发生改变	to undergo a change
巨大的改变	a huge change
无法改变	unable to change

Usage Notes

改变 implies a substantive transformation, not just a minor adjustment (for which 调整 is more appropriate). As a noun, it often appears after 发生 (to occur): 发生了很大的改变. 改变主意 is a fixed phrase meaning to change one's mind. Compare with 变化 (biànhuà), which is also "change" but more often used as a noun describing natural or gradual shifts.

Memory Hook

改 means "to correct/reform" and 变 means "to change" — reforming and changing together give you a complete transformation.