変
変·change, strange
- On-yomi
- ヘン
- Kun-yomi
- かわるかえる
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 変わる | かわる | to change (intransitive) |
| 変える | かえる | to change something |
| 大変 | たいへん | tough, serious; very |
| 変化 | へんか | change, transformation |
Example sentences
この町は十年で大きく変わりました。
このまちはじゅうねんでおおきくかわりました。
This town changed a lot in ten years.
予定を変えてもいいですか。
よていをかえてもいいですか。
Is it all right if I change the plan?
その話はちょっと変だと思う。
そのはなしはちょっとへんだとおもう。
I think that story is a bit strange.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up 変わる (it changes) with 変える (you change it)
- 変 as a な-adjective means 'weird' — calling a person 変な人 is not a compliment
Memory aid
Picture it
A hand with a stick (攵) striking from behind — something gets knocked into a different shape.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 変 mean?