shàn

嬗

Character · Verb

evolve; transform; abdicate

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Meanings

2 senses · 5 examples
1.

verb

to change; to replace; to evolve; to transform

literary

Literary usage indicating fundamental change, transformation, or succession over time, often used in historical or biological contexts.

Lì历
jīng经
shù数
qiān千
nián年
 ，
shè社
huì会
fēng风
sú俗
bù不
duàn断
shàn嬗
biàn变
 。

Over thousands of years, social customs have constantly evolved.

Kūn昆
chóng虫
cóng从
yòu幼
chóng虫
dào到
chéng成
chóng虫
de的
shàn嬗
biàn变
guò过
chéng程
shí十
fēn分
qí奇
miào妙
 。

The metamorphosis of insects from larvae to adults is quite marvelous.

Show 1 more example
Cháo朝
dài代
dì递
shàn嬗
 ，
lì历
shǐ史
cāng沧
sāng桑
 。

Dynasties succeeded one another, witnessing the vicissitudes of history.

2.

verb

to abdicate (the throne); to yield (power) to a successor

archaic

Equivalent to 禅 (shàn), referring to the ancient practice of abdicating the throne in favor of a worthy successor rather than passing it to one's own son.

Gǔ古
dài代
dì帝
wáng王
shí实
xíng行
shàn嬗
ràng让
 ，
jiāng将
dì帝
wèi位
chuán传
gěi给
xián贤
néng能
zhī之
rén人
 。

Ancient emperors practiced abdication, passing the throne to virtuous and capable persons.

Yáo尧
Shùn舜
shàn嬗
dài代
 ，
tiān天
xià下
wéi为
gōng公
 。

When Yao and Shun abdicated to one another, the world belonged to the public.