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Kotomora

変

unusual, change, strange

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 500Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ヘン

Kun'yomi

  • か.わる
  • か.わり
  • か.える

Meaning

変 centers on deviation from the ordinary: something unusual, strange, or a change from a previous state.

Most common words using 変

24 of 708
  • 変わるかわる
    N4

    to change; to be transformed; to be altered; to vary

  • 大変たいへん
    N5

    very; greatly; terribly; awfully

  • 変更へんこう
    N3

    change; modification; alteration; revision; amendment

  • 変へん
    N4

    strange; odd; peculiar; weird; curious; eccentric; funny; suspicious; fishy

  • 変化へんか
    N3

    change; variation; alteration; mutation; transition; transformation

  • 変えるかえる
    N5

    to change; to alter; to transform; to convert; to turn; to vary

  • 変わりかわり

    change; alteration

  • 変態へんたい

    transformation

  • 変換へんかん
    N2

    change; conversion; transformation

  • 相変わらずあいかわらず
    N3

    as usual; as always; as before; as ever; still

  • 変身へんしん
    N1

    metamorphosis; disguise; transformation; shapeshifting; morphing

  • 変動へんどう
    N2

    change; fluctuation

  • 変形へんけい
    N1

    transformation; variation; metamorphosis; modification; deformation; variety; deformity; monster

  • 変人へんじん

    eccentric; crank; weirdo; oddball

  • 変革へんかく
    N1

    change; transformation; reform; revolution; revolutionizing; innovation; upheaval

  • 一変いっぺん
    N2

    complete change; about-face

  • 変貌へんぼう
    N1

    transfiguration; transformation; change of appearance

  • 変遷へんせん
    N1

    change; transition; vicissitudes

  • 変質へんしつ

    alteration (of character or essence); change in quality; transformation; deterioration; degeneration; transmutation

  • 異変いへん
    N1

    unusual event; strange occurrence; strange phenomenon; something abnormal; change (for the worse); accident; disaster

  • 事変じへん

    accident; disaster; incident; uprising; emergency

  • 不変ふへん
    N1

    eternal; everlasting; unchangeable; immutable; immovable; constant; permanent; indestructible

  • 変容へんよう
    N1

    change in appearance; transformation

  • 変化球へんかきゅう

    breaking ball (pitch); curve ball; screwball

Explore all words using 変 →

Study

Etymology

変 is the modern simplified form of 變. The older form combines 䜌 (a phonetic component) with 攵 (action), suggesting change or transformation. The modern form 変 is a simplification that retains the general idea but not the original components.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 亦 looks like a person with arms outstretched, and the bottom 夂 resembles legs walking. Picture someone changing their posture or stride, becoming unusual or strange.

Reading mnemonic

For ヘン, imagine a hen that suddenly changes color and becomes strange: hen -> ヘン, and the unusual hen stands out.