变革 (biàngé) — reform; transformation

变革 (biàngé)

变革 refers to fundamental, often large-scale change or reform in society, institutions, or systems, implying a deeper transformation than simple modification.

Meanings

1. [noun] reform; transformation; fundamental change
2. [verb] to reform; to transform; to bring about fundamental change

Example Sentences

工业革命带来了深刻的社会变革。 Gōngyè gémìng dàilái le shēnkè de shèhuì biàngé. The Industrial Revolution brought about profound social transformation.

这个国家正在经历一场深刻的政治变革。 Zhège guójiā zhèngzài jīnglì yī chǎng shēnkè de zhèngzhì biàngé. This country is undergoing a profound political transformation.

技术变革正在重塑全球经济格局。 Jìshù biàngé zhèngzài chóngsù quánqiú jīngjì géjú. Technological transformation is reshaping the global economic landscape.

改革开放是中国历史上最重要的变革之一。 Gǎigé kāifàng shì Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng zuì zhòngyào de biàngé zhī yī. Reform and opening up is one of the most important transformations in Chinese history.

公司需要不断变革才能在竞争中生存。 Gōngsī xūyào bùduàn biàngé cái néng zài jìngzhēng zhōng shēngcún. Companies need to constantly transform themselves to survive in competition.

这场变革影响了整整一代人的生活方式。 Zhè chǎng biàngé yǐngxiǎng le zhěngzhěng yī dài rén de shēnghuó fāngshì. This transformation affected the lifestyle of an entire generation.

Collocations

Usage Notes

变革 implies a more thorough and structural change than 改变 (change) or 改善 (improvement). It is often used in formal and political discourse to describe systemic reforms. 革 carries the sense of "revolutionizing" or "overhauling," making 变革 stronger than 变化 (change) or 调整 (adjustment).

Compare: 改革 (gǎigé, reform) is more commonly used for specific policy reforms, while 变革 emphasizes a broader or deeper transformation. Both can be used as nouns or verbs.

Memory Hook

变 means "change" and 革 means "leather / to reform" (as in 革命 revolution). 变革 is change so deep it has to be tanned into the skin of society.