Hanzi
CharactersIdiomsChinese ZodiacChinese Name
Tools
  • Chinese Word CounterCount characters, words and sentences in Chinese text
  • Pinyin GeneratorConvert Chinese text to pinyin with tone marks
  • Chinese Text Image GeneratorRender Chinese text as a downloadable image
  • Chinese Text to SpeechRead Chinese aloud with karaoke highlighting
  • Stroke Order AnimatorTurn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
  • Writing WorksheetsPrintable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
View all tools →
Blogs
改头换面
改头换面
改头换面
改头换面
改头换面
改头换面
改头换面
改头换面

改头换面 — “To make superficial changes”

改头换面 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make superficial changes”. To alter the appearance without changing the substance; to give a new look to something old. Literally, “Change head and wash face”.

Frequency

改头换面 Pronunciation and Pinyin

  • 改gǎi
  • 头tóu
  • 换huàn
  • 面miàn

改头换面 Character Breakdown

CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
改
gǎi7change or alter
头
tóu5head
换
huàn10exchange, change, replace
面
miàn9face, surface, side, flour, noodles

Example Sentence with 改头换面

这家旧书店经过改头换面,现在看起来像一家现代咖啡馆,但里面的书籍收藏还是那么经典。
After a complete overhaul, the old bookstore now looks like a modern coffee shop, but its collection of books remains as classic as ever.

Idioms Related to 改头换面

Synonyms of 改头换面

  • qiáo乔zhuāng装dǎ打bàn扮disguise oneself
  • miàn面mù目yī一xīn新to take on a completely new look

Antonyms of 改头换面

  • yī依rán然rú如gù故remain unchanged, just as before
  • yuán原fēng封bù不dòng动leave something completely untouched

More idioms starting with 改

  • gǎi改sú俗qiān迁fēng风change customs and habits
  • gǎi改kǒu口tà沓shé舌go back on one's word
  • gǎi改míng名huàn换xìng姓change one's name and identity
  • gǎi改míng名yì易xìng姓change one's name and surname
  • gǎi改tiān天huàn换dì地to transform completely
  • gǎi改tóu头huàn换wěi尾make superficial changes
  • gǎi改xìng姓yì易dài代change ruling dynasty or system
  • gǎi改xìng姓gēng更míng名change one's name to conceal identity
  • gǎi改róng容yì易mào貌change one's appearance completely
  • gǎi改róng容gèng更mào貌change one's appearance or demeanor
  • gǎi改zhāng张yì易diào调change one's approach or policy
  • gǎi改xián弦yì易zhāng张make fundamental changes

Questions about 改头换面

What does 改头换面 mean?
改头换面 (gǎi tóu huàn miàn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make superficial changes”.
How do you pronounce 改头换面?
改头换面 is pronounced gǎi tóu huàn miàn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 改头换面 literally mean?
Literally, 改头换面 means “Change head and wash face”. It is used to mean “to make superficial changes”.
What is the Chinese definition of 改头换面?
原指人的容貌发生了改变。现多比喻只改外表和形式,内容实质不变。
Copy the pinyin for 改头换面 →Choose tone marks or tone numbers and copy the complete four-character reading.Read Chinese vocabulary and idiom guides →Continue with words, phrases, and idioms explained through natural examples.

© 2026 hanzi.now

Contact Us