換
interchange, period, change, convert, replace, renew
Readings
On'yomi
- カン
Kun'yomi
- か.える
- -か.える
- か.わる
Meaning
換 centers on swapping one thing for another: interchanging, converting, replacing, or renewing. The idea of a period or cycle comes from the notion of things changing hands or states over time.
Most common words using 換
20 of 371- 交換こうかんN3
exchange; interchange; switching; reciprocity; barter; substitution; replacement; clearing (of checks, cheques)
- 変換へんかんN2
change; conversion; transformation
- 転換てんかんN1
conversion; diversion; changeover; commutation; switchover
- 乗り換えのりかえN2
transfer (trains, buses, etc.); change; connection
- 互換ごかん
interchange
- 置き換えおきかえ
replacement; substitute; displacement; transposition; reset
- 換算かんさんN1
conversion (e.g. yen to dollars); change; exchange; translation (numerical)
- 引き換えひきかえN1
exchange; conversion
- 書き換えかきかえ
rewriting (e.g. of a book)
- 換金かんきん
realization (of goods into money); conversion (into money); liquidation
- 換気かんきN2
ventilation
- 置き換えるおきかえる
to move (something) to another location; to change the position of; to rearrange
- 言い換えいいかえ
putting in other words; rephrasing; rewording; paraphrase
- 置換ちかん
substitution; replacement
- 乗り換えるのりかえるN5
to transfer (trains); to change (bus, train)
- 換装かんそう
exchanging parts or equipment to effect a change in performance
- 言い換えるいいかえるN2
to say in other words; to put another way; to express in different words; to reword; to rephrase
- 買い換えるかいかえる
to buy a replacement; to replace (with a new purchase)
- 書き換えるかきかえる
to rewrite; to overwrite; to renew; to transfer
- 換気扇かんきせんN1
ventilation fan; extractor fan
Study
Etymology
換 combines 扌 (hand) with 奐, which likely contributes the sound and carries a sense of exchange or brilliance. The hand radical suggests the action of swapping or replacing.
Meaning mnemonic
A hand 扌 beside 奐, which looks like a person under a roof exchanging something. Imagine a hand passing an item to another person in a doorway, swapping one thing for another.
Reading mnemonic
For カン, picture a can being exchanged between two hands: can -> カン, and the hand swaps the can for something else.