固化 gùhuà to solidify
to solidify; to harden; (figuratively) to make permanent; to become fixed
How to remember 固化: 固 to solidify + 化 change = to solidify.
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How it is used
- To solidify / become fixed - 材料固化 (cáiliào gùhuà) the material hardens; figuratively 思维固化 (sīwéi gùhuà) rigid, set thinking; 阶层固化 (jiēcéng gùhuà) entrenched class divisions.
- The figurative 'becoming rigidly fixed' sense is common in social commentary. Written/technical.