Usage patterns 〈 事こと 〉 の 移うつ り the transition or changing of something (e.g., seasons, eras)
I can feel the changing of the seasons.
〈 物もの 〉 に 移うつ りを 入い れる to put a small return gift inside a container before giving it back
I put a small return gift in the lunch box before giving it back.
Related words 変化 is the general, everyday word for any change, while 移り emphasizes a gradual shift from one state or place to another, often in set phrases like 季節の移り .
お返し is the general word for any return gift given in exchange for a favor, while 移り specifically means the small token placed inside a container being returned.
移行 is a formal term for a planned or systematic transition (e.g., switching systems), whereas 移り describes a more natural, gradual change.
変遷 refers to change over a long historical period and sounds more literary than 移り , which can describe shorter or more everyday shifts.
Don't confuse with 移る is the verb meaning 'to move/change,' while 移り is its noun form used in compounds like 季節の移り to describe the change itself.
写り (image/picture quality) and 移り (change, transfer, as in season change) are homophones with completely different meanings distinguished only by kanji.
Word family· 15 change; transition; shift
change over time; shift; transition
being distracted by many options; difficulty in choosing
move residence; migrate
fickle; capricious; changeable
Show 10 more Show fewer change of heart; fickleness
moving houses (of a nobleman)
distraction; having one's attention wander
catching fire; fire spreading
moving chopsticks between dishes without eating rice in between (breach of etiquette)
utsurigami; special paper given in return for a gift
lingering scent; transferred fragrance
color bleeding; dye transfer; dye migration
set-off; offset (ink transfer) · offset (printing process) · show-through
change gradually; shift over time; come and go
Etymology Noun form of the verb 移る (to move, shift, change). The kanji 移 means 'shift' or 'transfer'.
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