Translation and Meaning of: 変 - hen

The Japanese word 「変」 (hen) is deeply rich in meaning and history. This term is widely used in both modern Japanese and in historical and cultural contexts. The etymology of 「変」 originates from the combination of two radicals: 「⺾」, which suggests change or transformation, and 「夂」, which implies action or movement. Together, they form a character that carries the idea of change or alteration, central aspects of the various ways the expression is used.

In the linguistic context, 「変」 is often used to designate something that is strange, unusual, or out of the ordinary. In Japanese, when someone or something is described as 「変」, it often refers to peculiarity or eccentricity. This word is therefore commonly used in combination with other terms to form more specific concepts, such as in 「変な味」 (hen na aji), which means "strange taste."

Historically, the conception of 「変」 has evolved alongside the Japanese language and culture. During the Heian period, for example, the understanding of transformation and change was deeply rooted in Japan's spiritual and philosophical practices. The notion of impermanence and continuous transformation can be seen reflected in various cultural perspectives, where 「変」 is often evocative of metamorphosis and innovation.

The word 「変」 also manifests in a variety of contexts and meanings. In psychological terms, it can denote changes in mood or behavior, while in social terms, it can indicate changes in norms and expectations. Additionally, in more technical contexts, such as in science and technology, 「変」 often refers to changes in systems or processes.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 異なる (kotonaru) - Be different; vary.
• 変化する (henka suru) - Change; transform; undergo alteration.
• 変更する (henkou suru) - Change; modify.
• 変わる (kawaru) - Change; undergo transformation.
• 変える (kaeru) - Change; swap; alter something.
• 変容する (henyou suru) - Transform; profound change.
• 変貌する (henbou suru) - Transform; take on a new appearance.
• 変革する (henkaku suru) - Revolutionize; significant reform.
• 変身する (henshin suru) - Transform; metamorphosis.
• 変質する (henshitsu suru) - Change nature; alter in essence.

変

Romaji: hen
Kana: へん
Type: Noun, adjective
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: change; incident; disturbance; strange; flat (music); odd; peculiar; suspicious looking; weird; eccentric; funny

Meaning in English: change;incident;disturbance;strange;flat (music);odd;peculiar;suspicious-looking;queer;eccentric;funny

Definition: A different state or appearance.

Example Sentences - (変) hen

See below some example sentences:

急激な変化が起こった。

Kyūgeki na henka ga okotta

Uma mudança súbita e drástica ocorreu.

Sudden changes took place.

• 急激な - adjective that means "fast" or "sudden"
• 変化 - noun that means "change" or "transformation"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 起こった - verb in the past that means "happened" or "occurred"

変化は常に起こる。

Henka wa tsuneni okoru

Change always happens.

Changes always occur.

• 変化 - "mudança" means "change" in Japanese.
• は - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "change".
• 常に - it means "always" or "constantly".
• 起こる - means "to occur" or "to happen".

変更を行いました。

Henkou wo okonai mashita

We made a change.

I changed it.

• 変更 - "mudança" means "change" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 行いました - It is the past form of the verb "行う" (okonau), which means "to carry out" or "to perform".
• .

変革は必要不可欠なものです。

Henkaku wa hitsuyō fukaketsu na mono desu

Change is essential and indispensable.

Transformation is indispensable.

• 変革 (henkaku) - means "change" or "reform"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 必要不可欠 (hitsuyoufukaketsu) - means "essential" or "indispensable"
• な (na) - grammatical particle that emphasizes the previous word
• もの (mono) - means "thing" or "object"
• です (desu) - verb "ser" or "estar" in the polite form

四季の移り変わりが美しい。

Shiki no utsuri kawari ga utsukushii

The change of the four seasons is beautiful.

The change of the four seasons is beautiful.

• 四季 (しき) - this word means "seasons of the year".
• の - this is a particle that indicates possession or relation between words.
• 移り変わり (うつりかわり) - this word means "change, alternation, transition".
• が - this is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 美しい (うつくしい) - this word means "pretty, beautiful, charming."

地形が険しい山道を登るのは大変だ。

Chikei ga kewashii yamamichi wo noboru no wa taihen da

Climbing a mountain trail with rugged terrain is difficult.

It is difficult to climb a steep mountain path.

• 地形 (chikei) - ground
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 険しい (kewashii) - steep, difficult
• 山道 (yamamichi) - mountain trail
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 登る (noboru) - climb
• のは (no wa) - particle that indicates topic
• 大変 (taihen) - Difficult, laborious
• だ (da) - Verb "to be"

一瞬の出来事が人生を変えることもある。

Isshun no dekigoto ga jinsei wo kaeru koto mo aru

A momentary event can also change someone's life.

A momentary event can change life.

• 一瞬 - means "an instant" or "a moment".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 出来事 - means "happening" or "event".
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 人生 - means "human life" or "existence".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 変える - means "to change" or "to transform".
• こと - abstract noun that indicates an action or event.
• も - particle indicating inclusion or addition.
• ある - verb that indicates the existence or presence of something.

ラッシュアワーに電車に乗るのは大変です。

Rasshuawaa ni densha ni noru no wa taihen desu

It's hard to get the train during peak hours.

It's hard to get on the train at Rush.

• ラッシュアワー (rasshu awaa) - rush hour
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target or the time at which something occurs
• 電車 (densha) - train
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target or the time at which something occurs
• 乗る (noru) - get on a means of transportation
• のは (no wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 大変 (taihen) - Difficult, laborious
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

ペンキを塗るのは大変です。

Peki wo nuru no wa taihen desu

Painting with paint is difficult.

It's hard to paint.

• ペンキ (penki) - ink
• を (wo) - object particle
• 塗る (nuru) - to paint
• のは (nowa) - Topic particle
• 大変 (taihen) - Difficult, laborious
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

中間試験は大変だった。

Chuukan shiken wa taihen datta

The intermediate exam was difficult.

• 中間試験 - mid-term exam
• は - Topic particle
• 大変 - difficult, arduous, laborious
• だった - Past tense of the verb "to be"