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:

下りの坂道を歩くのは大変です。

Kudari no sakamichi wo aruku no wa taihen desu

Going down a hill is difficult.

It's difficult to walk down the slope.

• 下りの坂道 - descent from a hill
• を - object particle
• 歩く - to walk
• のは - Topic particle
• 大変 - difficult, arduous
• です - verb to be, to stay

金融業界は常に変化しています。

Kin'yū gyōkai wa tsuneni henka shite imasu

The financial industry is constantly changing.

• 金融業界 - financial sector
• は - Topic particle
• 常に - always
• 変化しています - it's changing

社会は常に変化しています。

Shakai wa tsuneni henka shiteimasu

Society is always in constant change.

Society is constantly changing.

• 社会 (shakai) - society
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 常に (tsuneni) - always
• 変化しています (henka shiteimasu) - it's changing

物事は常に変化する。

Monogoto wa tsuneni henka suru

Things always change.

Things always change.

• 物事 (monogoto) - things, subjects
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 常に (tsuneni) - always
• 変化する (henka suru) - change, vary

流行は常に変化しています。

Ryūkō wa tsuneni henka shiteimasu

Fashion is always changing.

The trend is constantly changing.

• 流行 (ryuukou) - Fashion
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 常に (tsuneni) - always
• 変化 (henka) - change
• しています (shiteimasu) - It's running

時代は常に変化しています。

Jidai wa tsuneni henka shiteimasu

Times are always changing.

Times are constantly changing.

• 時代 (jidai) - means "era" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 常に (tsuneni) - adverb meaning "always"
• 変化 (henka) - noun that means "change" or "transformation"
• しています (shiteimasu) - compound verb indicating an ongoing action, in this case "is changing"

教育は人生を変える力を持っています。

Kyouiku wa jinsei wo kaeru chikara wo motteimasu

Education has the power to change people's lives.

Education has the power to change lives.

• 教育 - Education
• は - Topic particle
• 人生 - Life
• を - Direct object particle
• 変える - change/transform
• 力 - power/strength
• を - Direct object particle
• 持っています - To/have

断水は大変だ。

Dansui wa taihen da

The lack of water is terrible.

Watering is difficult.

• 断水 - It means "lack of water"
• は - Topic particle
• 大変 - means "difficult" or "serious"
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

愛は世界を変える力を持っています。

Ai wa sekai wo kaeru chikara wo motte imasu

Love has the power to change the world.

Love has the power to change the world.

• 愛 (ai) - love
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 世界 (sekai) - world
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 変える (kaeru) - change
• 力 (chikara) - power
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っています (motteimasu) - I'm sorry, but it seems like the text you provided is incomplete. Please provide a complete string for translation.
• . (ponto final) - punctuation mark

技術は社会を変える力を持っています。

Gijutsu wa shakai o kaeru chikara o motte imasu

Technology has the power to change society.

Technology has the power to change society.

• 技術 (gijutsu) - technology
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 社会 (shakai) - society
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 変える (kaeru) - change/transform
• 力 (chikara) - power/strength
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っています (motteimasu) - have/holding