catastrophe; disaster; assassination
A sudden, tragic event, often implying violence or death. Can refer to natural disasters, but also to man-made calamities such as assassinations. Somewhat literary or formal.
The catastrophe shocked the entire nation.
The history book records the king's assassination in detail.
惨事 refers to a tragic incident or disaster, often with a focus on the gruesome or pitiful aspect, whereas 凶変 can carry a nuance of ominous or fateful calamity.
Standard kanji spelling for 'catastrophe' or 'disaster'.
Variant using 兇 (kyō, 'wickedness'); less common than 凶変.
Compound of 凶 (kyō, 'bad luck, disaster') and 変 (hen, 'change, unusual event'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys a sudden, disastrous turn of events.