How to Say "Variable" in Japanese

変数

hensū[hẽ̞ɰ̃sɨː]

In Japanese, the term for the computing concept of a variable is 変数 (hensū).

In the context of computing, 変数 refers to a named piece of mutable storage. It is a formal term.

Meaning: computing: a named mutable piece of storage (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the kanji 変 (hen), meaning 'change' and 数 (sū), meaning 'number'.

hensū

The kanji 変 in 変数 is also found in 変態 (hentai), which literally means 'metamorphosis' or 'transformation' in biological contexts, such as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
Japanese programmers often use the English word 'variable' transcribed into katakana as バリアブル (bariaburu) when discussing specific architectural patterns, even though 変数 is the standard term for the concept.
In Japanese mathematics and computing, the word 数 can be read as sū in 変数, but in other contexts it is read as kazu. This is a common feature of kanji where the reading changes based on whether the word is a native Japanese term or a Chinese-derived compound.

ローカル変数
Local variable
This example shows how to use 変数 in the phrase for 'local variable'.
Wiktionary
私は変数に値を代入します。
I will assign a value to the variable.
この関数は可変引数を受け取ります。
This function takes a variable number of arguments.
グローバル変数
Global variable
この変数には何が入っていますか？
Kono hensuu ni wa nani ga haitte imasu ka?
What is inside this variable?
新しい変数を定義する必要があります。
Atarashii hensuu o teigi suru hitsuyou ga arimasu.
I need to define a new variable.

Ren and Himari are coding together at a cafe.

蓮 Ren

この変数の名前は何にしようか？
Kono hensuu no namae wa nan ni shiyou ka?
What should we name this variable?
陽葵 Himari

蓮くん、もっと分かりやすい名前にして。
Ren-kun, motto wakariyasui namae ni shite.
Ren, please make it a more understandable name.
蓮 Ren

分かった、じゃあこれに変えるよ。
Wakatta, jaa kore ni kaeru yo.
Got it, then I'll change it to this.
陽葵 Himari

その方がずっといいと思う！
Sono hou ga zutto ii to omou!
I think that is much better!

Sources

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