Meaning
进化 refers to the biological process of evolution or the gradual development and improvement of something over time. It is most commonly used in scientific contexts to describe how species change and adapt across generations, but can also metaphorically describe the advancement or refinement of ideas, technology, or society.
Usage
This term is widely used in academic and scientific discourse, especially in biology and natural sciences. In everyday conversation, it can be used metaphorically to describe personal growth or technological advancement. Native speakers often pair it with 论 (lùn, theory) to form 进化论 (theory of evolution), which is the most common collocation.
Examples
- 01达尔文的进化论改变了人类对生命起源的认识。' .Darwin's theory of evolution changed humanity's understanding of the origin of life.
- 02这种动物经过数百万年的进化才适应了极地环境。.This animal adapted to the polar environment only after millions of years of evolution.
Characters
Common collocations
- 进化论theory of evolution
- 生物进化biological evolution
- 进化过程evolutionary process
- 自然进化natural evolution
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 进 (to advance/progress) and 化 (to transform/change), literally meaning 'progressive transformation.' It was adopted as a translation for the English word 'evolution' when Darwin's theories were introduced to China in the late 19th century.