Definition

1. Verb:
   • To transform, to change fundamentally: "cải hóa" refers to the process of changing something completely, making it fundamentally different from its previous state. This often implies a positive change or reform.
   • To reform: It can specifically mean to improve or amend by altering or removing faults, abuses, or errors.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chính sách mới nhằm cải hóa hệ thống giáo dục. (The new policy aims to transform the education system.)
  • Sau nhiều năm cố gắng, anh ấy đã cải hóa bản thân hoàn toàn. (After many years of effort, he completely reformed himself.)

Advanced Usage

• "cải hóa xã hội": to reform society.

  • Các nhà lãnh đạo đang tìm cách cải hóa xã hội. (The leaders are looking for ways to reform society.)

• "quá trình cải hóa": the process of transformation/reform.

  • Quá trình cải hóa tư tưởng diễn ra chậm rãi. (The process of ideological transformation is happening slowly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cải cách (v/n): To reform / a reform. This is a more common modern synonym.

  • cải cách hành chính (administrative reform)

• Biến hóa (v): To metamorphose, to change form (often used in a more physical or magical context).

  • Con bướm biến hóa từ con sâu. (The butterfly metamorphosed from a caterpillar.)

Synonyms

• Thay đổi: to change (a more general term).
• Cải tạo: to renovate, to remold (often used for physical spaces or ideological remolding).
• Chuyển hóa: to convert, to transform (often used in scientific or spiritual contexts).

Notes on Usage

• Register: The word "cải hóa" is considered somewhat literary or formal (marked as "cũ" - old) in modern Vietnamese. In contemporary usage, "cải cách" is more frequently used for "reform," while "biến đổi" or "thay đổi" are more common for "change."
• Connotation: It often carries a positive connotation of intentional, fundamental improvement or moral reformation.

1. (cũ) Transform, change, reform