演化 (yǎnhuà) — to evolve (biologically), to develop

演化 (yǎnhuà)

演化 refers primarily to biological evolution or the natural developmental processes by which organisms or systems change over long periods, and is the standard term for Darwinian evolution in Chinese scientific discourse.

Meanings

1. [verb] to evolve (biologically), to develop naturally over time
2. [noun] (biological) evolution, natural development

Example Sentences

人类是由古猿演化而来的。 Rénlèi shì yóu gǔyuán yǎnhuà ér lái de. Humans evolved from ancient apes.

生物的演化是一个漫长而复杂的过程。 Shēngwù de yǎnhuà shì yīgè màncháng ér fùzá de guòchéng. The evolution of living organisms is a long and complex process.

演化论是现代生物学的基础。 Yǎnhuà lùn shì xiàndài shēngwùxué de jīchǔ. The theory of evolution is the foundation of modern biology.

宇宙自大爆炸以来一直在不断演化。 Yǔzhòu zì dà bàozhà yǐlái yīzhí zài bùduàn yǎnhuà. The universe has been continuously evolving since the Big Bang.

语言的演化受到地理环境和文化交流的影响。 Yǔyán de yǎnhuà shòudào dìlǐ huánjìng hé wénhuà jiāoliú de yǐngxiǎng. The evolution of language is influenced by geographical environment and cultural exchange.

物种在自然选择的作用下不断演化。 Wùzhǒng zài zìrán xuǎnzé de zuòyòng xià bùduàn yǎnhuà. Species evolve continuously under the influence of natural selection.

Collocations

Usage Notes

演化 is the preferred term in scientific and academic contexts for biological and natural evolution, directly corresponding to the English "evolution" in Darwinian theory. It differs from 演变 mainly in register and domain: 演化 is more scientific and natural, while 演变 is more commonly used for cultural, social, and historical change. In non-scientific contexts, the two can sometimes overlap.

At B2 level, learners should use 演化 confidently in scientific writing and discussions of natural history, biology, and cosmology.

Memory Hook

演 unfolds like a drama, 化 transforms -- 演化 is nature's own drama of transformation, playing out over millions of years of biological change.