変
hen[hẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese word for weird is 変 (hen). Wiktionary also lists 変わった (kawatta).
Meaning: deviating from the normal, bizarre (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 変 | hen | [hẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 変わった | kawatta |
変 is used to describe things that deviate from the normal or are bizarre. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that something is strange or even wrong.
Which one should you use?
While 変 often implies something is strange or wrong in a negative sense, 変わった is a softer way to describe someone or something as unusual, eccentric or different.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun-modifying form of 変 to describe a noun, you must add な to make it 変な. To express that something 'was weird' in a polite way, use the past tense form 変でした.
How do you pronounce it?
hen
Did you know?
- If you call someone 変な人, you are not just saying they are eccentric, but often that they are 'suspicious' or 'strange' in a way that causes distrust.
- While 変な is used for 'weird', the related word 不思議 ('fushigi') is used for things that are 'weird' in a mysterious or magical way, like in the title of 'Spirited Away'.
- In certain contexts, the root of 変 can refer to a 'disaster' or an 'incident' rather than just a personality trait.
Examples in context
- これは変だ。This is weird.Tatoeba #2216603 by bunbuku, translation #1898083 by CK
- めっちゃ変！It's so weird.Tatoeba #3496792 by arnab, translation #2249284 by CK
- あんた変だよ。You're weird.Tatoeba #2305005 by bunbuku, translation #1895555 by CK
- 彼の考え方は少し変です。His way of thinking is a little weird.
- この料理は少し変だと思いませんか？Don't you think this dish is a bit strange?
- 彼の冗談はキモくて面白かった。His joke was weird but funny.
- この絵がおかしいよ。This picture is weird.
- 彼の行動はちょっとおかしいね。His behavior is a bit strange, isn't it?
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about a strange cloud formation.
- 健太 Kentaあの雲、変じゃない？Ano kumo, hen janai?Isn't that cloud weird?
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ、変な形をしているね。Honto da, hen na katachi o shite iru ne.You're right, it has a weird shape.
- 健太 Kentaなんだか変な感じがする。Nandaka hen na kanji ga suru.It feels somewhat strange.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くんもそう思う？Kenta-kun mo sou omou?Do you think so too, Kenta?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weird” translations and entries 変, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
