Meaning
演化 describes a gradual process of change and development over time, commonly used in biological, social, and cultural contexts. It emphasizes transformation through stages, particularly in scientific discussions about evolution or the progressive development of ideas, systems, or organisms.
Usage
演化 is more formal and scientific than 发展 (develop). It's frequently used in academic writing, especially biology, anthropology, and social sciences. Native speakers use it when discussing long-term, gradual transformations rather than sudden changes. Common in phrases like 生物演化 (biological evolution) and 文化演化 (cultural evolution).
Examples
- 01人类是从猿类演化而来的。.Humans evolved from apes.
- 02语言会随着社会的发展而不断演化。.Language continuously evolves along with the development of society.
Characters
Common collocations
- 生物演化biological evolution
- 文化演化cultural evolution
- 演化过程evolutionary process
- 演化论theory of evolution
Antonyms
Origin
演 originally meant 'to perform' or 'to practice,' while 化 means 'to change' or 'transform.' Together, 演化 literally suggests 'performing transformation,' capturing the idea of a process unfolding through stages.