変
unusual · change · strange
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of also and strike. Changing also.
Symbolism
Change, alteration, transform. Represents changing.
Component Breakdown
亦 + go slowly
Words & Expressions
Words written with 変
Four-Character Compounds
君子豹変
くんしひょうへん
the wise readily adapt themselves to changed circumstances; the wise are quick to acknowledge their mistakes and correct them; the wise make no scruple in suddenly changing their demeanor
千変万化
せんぺんばんか
innumerable changes; infinite variety
天変地異
てんぺんちい
natural disaster; cataclysm
変幻自在
へんげんじざい
phantasmagoric; protean; shape-shifting
有為転変
ういてんぺん
mutability (of worldly affairs); fleeting shifts and changes (of human life)
臨機応変
りんきおうへん
adapting oneself to the requirements of the moment; playing by ear; ad hoc approach
妖怪変化
ようかいへんげ
monstrous apparition; terrifying creature; incomprehensible horror
天災地変
てんさいちへん
natural disaster
永久不変
えいきゅうふへん
permanence; forever unchanging
Poetry
見せばやな 雄島のあまの 袖だにも 濡れにぞ濡れし 色は変はらず
I wish I could show you. Even the fisherfolk's sleeves at Ojima, soaked through, do not change colour as mine have.
Anime & Manga
変態王子と笑わない猫。
Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko
Story of a mysterious cat granting 'perverted' wishes.
異世界でチート能力を手にした俺は、現実世界をも無双する ～レベルアップは人生を変えた～
I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too
A well-known work with 変 in its Japanese title.
怪物事変
Kemono Jihen
A well-known work with 変 in its Japanese title.
可愛ければ変態でも好きになってくれますか？
Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie?
A well-known work with 変 in its Japanese title.
自動販売機に生まれ変わった俺は迷宮を彷徨う
Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
A well-known work with 変 in its Japanese title.
Games
ポケモン
Pokémon(1996)
Developer: Game Freak
RPG where Pokémon 'transform' (evolve).
View on Amazon →Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 変 mean in Japanese?
変 means unusual, change, strange.
How do you read 変?
On'yomi: ヘン (HEN). Kun'yomi: か.わる、か.わり、か.える (kawaru, kawari, kaeru).
How many strokes does 変 have?
変 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 夂 (go).
Is 変 a good kanji for a tattoo?
変 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means unusual, change, strange. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.