What is the difference between 变 (biàn) and 易 (yì)?
变 is mainly used as a verb for &quot;change; alter; turn (e.g. turn into a dog)&quot;

易 is mainly used as a verb component in a compound word. Mostly indicates 'transfer' (from one to another). 易 is not used as a verb on its own in day to day speech in modern Chinese


Look at the compound words contain these two characters
变化 - change
转变 - change; transform
易手 - change hand -- transfer ownership
交易 - exchange -- mutually transfer goods or money