変
unusual, change, strange
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
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.