変
hen[hẽ̞ɴ]
In Japanese, the word for strange is 変 (hen). Wiktionary also lists 奇妙 (kimyō).
Meaning: not normal (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 変 | hen | [hẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 奇妙 | kimyō | [kʲimʲo̞ː] (narrow) |
The word 変 is used to describe something that is not normal. It is the standard choice when you want to describe a person's character or behavior as being strange, weird or even creepy.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean strange, 変 is the most common way to say 'strange, weird or odd' and often implies something is 'off' in a social or behavioral sense. In contrast, 奇妙 is used to describe things that are peculiar, mysterious, uncanny or surreal.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use the form 変 to modify a noun, you must add な between the adjective and the noun, creating the form 変な. For example, you would say 変な人 to mean a strange person.
How do you pronounce it?
hen
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture and anime, the term 変態 (hentai) is derived from 変, meaning 'transformation'. While it now often refers to perversion, its literal meaning is 'metamorphosis'.
- The kanji for 変 is the same one used in the word 変化 (henka), which means 'change'. This suggests that at its core, being 'strange' is viewed as a deviation from a stable, original state.
- The word 奇妙 is often associated with the supernatural. It is the word used in the Japanese title of 'The Twilight Zone' to capture the surreal nature of the show.
Examples in context
- これは変だ。This is strange.This sentence shows how to use 変 to say something is strange.Tatoeba #2216603 by bunbuku, translation #2233735 by CK
- この文は変だ。This is a strange sentence.This sentence demonstrates using 変 to describe a strange sentence.Tatoeba #3464812 by arnab, translation #890441 by Scott
- あいつ変だよ。He is strange.This sentence illustrates using 変 to describe a person as strange.Tatoeba #11574564 by small_snow, translation #9631771 by megamanenm
- Kono machi wa fushigi desu ne. (この町は不思議ですね。)This town is strange, isn't it?
- Ano anime wa kimyou da yo! (あのアニメは奇妙だよ！)That anime is strange!
- Ano jiken wa okashii yo! (あの事件はおかしいよ！)That incident is strange/weird!
- 147 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are walking home at night and hear a noise.
- 美咲 Misakiねえ、さっきから変な音がしない？nee, sakki kara hen na oto ga shinai?Hey, hasn't there been a strange sound for a while?
- 陽太 Yota本当だ、すごく変な音がするね。hontou da, sugoku hen na oto ga suru ne.You're right, it's making a really strange sound.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、怖くない？yoota-kun, kowakunai?Youta, aren't you scared?
- 陽太 Yota少し怖いけど、大丈夫だよ。sukoshi kowai kedo, daijoubu da yo.I'm a little scared, but I'm okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strange” translations and entries 変, 奇妙, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
