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

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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:

変なことが起こった。

Hen na koto ga okotta

Algo estranho aconteceu.

A strange thing happened.

• 変 (hen) - means "strange" or "abnormal"
• な (na) - Particle indicating adjective
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates subject
• 起こった (okotta) - "occurred"

川の流れは常に変化しています。

Kawa no nagare wa tsune ni henka shiteimasu

The river flow is constantly changing.

• 川の流れ - Flowing river
• は - Topic particle
• 常に - always
• 変化しています - mudando

急速な変化が起こっている。

Kyūsoku na henka ga okotte iru

Rapid changes are taking place.

A rapid change is taking place.

• 急速な - Adjective that means "fast"
• 変化 - noun meaning "change"
• が - subject particle
• 起こっている - compound verb that means "is happening"

斜面を登るのは大変だ。

Shamen wo noboru no wa taihen da

Climbing a slope is difficult.

It is difficult to climb the slope.

• 斜面 - means "slope" or "decline".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 登る - verb that means "to ascend" or "to climb".
• の - particle that indicates the nominalization of a sentence.
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大変 - adjective that means "difficult" or "arduous".
• だ - verb that indicates the affirmative form and present tense.

気候が変わっている。

Kikou ga kawatte iru

The climate is changing.

The climate has changed.

• 気候 - weather
• が - subject particle
• 変わっている - it's changing

為替の変動が激しいです。

Kawase no hendou ga hageshii desu

The change in exchange rates is severe.

• 為替 - exchange
• の - Possession particle
• 変動 - fluctuation
• が - subject particle
• 激しい - intense
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

現代はテクノロジーの進歩によって驚くべき変化を遂げています。

Gendai wa tekunorojī no shinpo ni yotte odorokubeki henka o togete imasu

The modern age has made incredible changes with technological advances.

• 現代 (Gendai) - means "current" or "modern"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• テクノロジー (tekunorojii) - a word borrowed from English meaning "technology"
• の (no) - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 進歩 (shinpo) - means "progress" or "advance"
• によって (ni yotte) - expression that indicates the cause or means by which something happens
• 驚くべき (odoroku beki) - adjective meaning "surprising" or "astonishing"
• 変化 (henka) - means "change" or "transformation"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 遂げています (tasshite imasu) - verb meaning "to accomplish" or "to conclude" in the present progressive tense

私は自分の人生を変えることができます。

Watashi wa jibun no jinsei o kaeru koto ga dekimasu

I can change my own life.

I can change my life.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 自分 (jibun) - Japanese reflexive pronoun that means "to oneself."
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my".
• 人生 (jinsei) - 生活 (seikatsu)
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "vida".
• 変える (kaeru) - Japanese verb that means "to change"
• こと (koto) - Japanese noun that indicates an action or event, in this case, "to change."
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• できます (dekimasu) - できる (dekiru)

私たちの人生は常に変わるものです。

Watashitachi no jinsei wa tsuneni kawaru mono desu

Our life is always changing.

• 私たちの - 私たち
• 人生 - "Life" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 常に - Always in Japanese
• 変わる - "change" in Japanese
• もの - "thing" in Japanese
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese in its polite form.

私たちの人生は常に移り変わっています。

Watashitachi no jinsei wa tsuneni utsuri kawatte imasu

Our lives are always changing.

Our life is always changing.

• 私たちの - personal pronoun plural that means "our"
• 人生 - substantive that means "life"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 常に - adverb meaning "always"
• 移り変わっています - verb that means "to change" or "to float" conjugated in the present continuous