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道Nihongo Path
遷

遷·transition, move, relocate

On-yomi
セン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

15 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
変遷へんせんtransition, changes over time
遷都せんとrelocation of the capital
左遷させんdemotion, being transferred down
遷移せんいtransition (technical)

Example sentences

  1. この地域の言葉の変遷を調べている。

    このちいきのことばのへんせんをしらべている。

    I am researching how the language of this region has changed over time.

  2. 彼は地方の支社に左遷された。

    かれはちほうのししゃにさせんされた。

    He was demoted to a regional branch office.

  3. 都が京都に遷都されたのは八世紀末だ。

    みやこがきょうとにせんとされたのははちせいきまつだ。

    The capital was moved to Kyoto at the end of the eighth century.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 変遷 as へんぜん — it is へんせん
  • 左遷 (させん) is a demotion, not literally a move to the left

Memory aid

Picture it

The road radical 辶 carrying a nest-and-hands element: picking the whole household up and carrying it down the road to a new place.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 遷 mean?