化 A 为 B
to turn A into B
Structure
（主语） 化 A 为 B
What it means
To turn A into B: change one thing or state into another, often something negative into something positive. 化 means “to transform”, 为 (wéi) “into”.
How it is built
(Subject) + 化 + A + 为 + B: 队员们决心化压力为动力 (the players resolved to turn pressure into motivation). When A is long, use 把／将 + A + 化为 + B: 把对家乡的思念化为….
When to use it
Formal and compact: writing, speeches and set phrases such as 化险为夷, 化干戈为玉帛, 化整为零, 化悲痛为力量, 化腐朽为神奇. In everyday speech say 把 A 变成 B.
Watch out
为 here is wéi, not wèi. Don’t add a second verb: ✗ 化压力成为动力。 ✓ 化压力为动力。
Examples
回国后，她化西洋绘画和摄影的光影为针线的语言。
Back in China she turned the light and shade of Western painting and photography into the language of needle and thread.
面对外界的质疑，队员们没有灰心，而是决心化压力为动力。
Faced with doubts from outside, the players did not lose heart; they resolved to turn the pressure into motivation.
她把对家乡的思念化为针下一幅幅江南的风景。
She turned her longing for home into scene after scene of Jiangnan beneath her needle.
Learn this in Lesson 237 · HSK 9+: 苏绣 (Suzhou embroidery)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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