指事物逐漸發展、變化的過程，尤指生物隨時間的演進。
生物演化
EN: the process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms over generations.
翻譯: 生物物種隨世代從早期形式發展並多樣化的過程。
漸進發展
EN: the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form.
翻譯: 某事物（尤指從簡單到複雜形式）的逐漸發展過程。
思想/理論演變
EN: the gradual development of ideas, theories, or social systems over time.
翻譯: 思想、理論或社會體系隨時間的逐漸發展與變化。
小提醒：在中文語境中，'evolution' 通常譯為「演化」或「進化」，兩者常通用，但「演化」較為中性，而「進化」有時隱含「進步」的價值判斷。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Evolution" from YouTube Videos
Why are these 32 symbols found in caves all over Europe | Genevieve von Petzinger | TED
TED
“But what I'm interested in is the development of the modern mind, of the evolution of creativity, of imagination, of abstract thought about what it means to be human.”
1. the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form
（尤指從簡單到複雜的）逐漸發展，演變
The evolution of technology has dramatically changed our daily lives.
科技的演變極大地改變了我們的日常生活。
We can trace the evolution of the English language over centuries.
我們可以追溯英語在數個世紀以來的演變。
2. the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth
（生物的）進化，演化
Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is a cornerstone of modern biology.
達爾文的自然選擇進化論是現代生物學的基石。
The study of fossils provides evidence for the evolution of species.
對化石的研究為物種的演化提供了證據。
3. a gradual process of change and development in a particular situation or field
（特定情況或領域的）演進，發展過程
The company's business model has undergone a significant evolution in the past decade.
這家公司的商業模式在過去十年經歷了重大的演進。
We are witnessing an evolution in public attitudes towards renewable energy.
我們正見證公眾對再生能源態度的發展過程。
4. the giving off of a gas, heat, etc., or the process of developing
（氣體、熱等的）釋出；展開，發展
The evolution of heat from the chemical reaction was carefully monitored.
化學反應釋出的熱能被仔細監測。
The plan's evolution from concept to implementation took two years.
該計劃從概念到實施的展開花了兩年時間。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the evolution of + noun | ...的演化 | The book traces the evolution of modern jazz. (這本書追溯了現代爵士樂的演變。) |
| evolution from X to Y | 從X到Y的演化 | We can observe the evolution from simple tools to complex machinery. (我們可以觀察到從簡單工具到複雜機械的演化。) |
| evolution + verb (e.g., occurs, takes place) | 演化 + 動詞（發生、進行） | Significant evolution often occurs in response to environmental pressures. (重大的演化通常因應環境壓力而發生。) |
| evolution + prepositional phrase (e.g., in, of, towards) | 在.../...的/朝向...的演化 | His ideas show a clear evolution in thinking. (他的想法顯示出思維上的明顯演進。) |
| a theory of evolution | 演化論 | Darwin is famous for his theory of evolution. (達爾文以其演化論聞名。) |
| evolution over time | 隨時間的演化 | The evolution of language over time is a fascinating study. (語言隨時間的演化是一門引人入勝的學問。) |
| rapid / gradual evolution | 快速／漸進的演化 | The rapid evolution of technology has changed our daily lives. (科技的快速演進改變了我們的日常生活。) |
EN:Recent years have seen a rapid evolution in digital communication technology.
翻譯:近年來，數位通訊技術經歷了快速的演變。
EN:We studied the evolution from simple cells to complex organisms.
翻譯:我們研究了從簡單細胞到複雜生物體的演化過程。
EN:There has been a clear evolution towards more sustainable practices in the industry.
翻譯:該產業明顯朝著更永續的實踐方向演進。
一般來說，描述具體事物的演變用 evolution of，描述某領域內的變化則用 evolution in。
evolution vs development
evolution 強調生物或事物隨時間自然演變的過程，development 則指有計劃、有目的的發展或成長。
evolution vs progress
evolution 是中性描述變化的過程，progress 則帶有正向、改善的含義。
evolution vs revolution
evolution 指漸進、緩慢的變化，revolution 指快速、徹底的劇變或革命。
在對話中，當引述或轉述他人關於變化的觀點時，常會用到這個詞。 EN: He was talking about the evolution of his music style over the years. 翻譯: 他當時在談論他這些年來音樂風格的演變。
EN:So you're saying the team's strategy needs its own evolution?
翻譯:所以你的意思是，團隊的策略需要它自己的演進？
用於強調某事物是逐步、自然發展的結果，而非一蹴可幾。 EN: This app is the evolution of years of user feedback and testing. 翻譯: 這款應用程式是多年用戶回饋和測試演進而來的。
EN:Don't expect a revolution overnight; real change is an evolution.
翻譯:別指望一夜之間發生革命；真正的改變是一個漸進的過程。
在思考如何描述一個漫長過程時，可用作短暫的停頓填充詞。 EN: The company's culture went through... an evolution, I guess you could say. 翻譯: 公司的文化經歷了... 一種演變，我想你可以這麼說。
EN:Our friendship has been a long... evolution, from colleagues to best friends.
翻譯:我們的友誼是一段漫長的... 演進，從同事變成最好的朋友。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式報告中，應更具體地描述演化的機制、階段或證據，避免僅籠統地使用 "evolution" 一詞帶過。
evolution of
the evolution of [something]
某事物的演變或發展過程
human evolution
human evolution
人類的進化過程
theory of evolution
the theory of evolution
進化論
rapid evolution
rapid evolution
快速演化
course of evolution
the course of evolution
進化的歷程或方向
cultural evolution
cultural evolution
文化演化
undergo evolution
undergo evolution
經歷演化
stages of evolution
stages of evolution
演化的階段
×The evolution of the technology is very fast.
✓The evolution of the technology has been very rapid.
「evolution」通常指一個長期的、漸進的過程，不適合用「is fast」這種描述瞬間狀態的詞。應使用「has been rapid」來強調其發展過程的速度。
×We studied about the human evolution.
✓We studied human evolution.
動詞「study」是及物動詞，後面直接接研究對象，不需要介系詞「about」。這是常見的冗詞錯誤。
×Darwin's theory explains the evolution from apes to humans.
✓Darwin's theory explains human evolution from a common ancestor with apes.
演化論並非主張人類「直接從」現代猿類演化而來，而是兩者擁有共同祖先。這是對演化概念的常見誤解，用詞需精確以避免科學錯誤。
×The company's evolution of the new product was successful.
✓The company's development of the new product was successful.
「evolution」通常指自然發生或長時間形成的變化過程，不適用於單一、有明確目標的產品開發專案。此處應使用「development」。
×This is a big evolution in his thinking.
✓This is a significant evolution in his thinking.
描述「evolution」的程度時，使用「big」較為口語且不精確。更正式且貼切的形容詞包括「significant」、「major」、「gradual」或「rapid」等。
×The evolution theory is fascinating.
✓The theory of evolution is fascinating.
雖然「evolution theory」有時可見，但更標準、更常見的學術說法是「the theory of evolution」。使用所有格結構（of）能使術語更清晰、更正式。