変
hen[hẽ̞ɴ]
The English word 'weird' can be translated into Japanese as 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 |
The word is used to describe something that deviates from the normal or is bizarre. While 変 is commonly used in casual conversations to emphasize a sense of peculiarity or eccentricity, other words exist for specific nuances: 怪しい means 'suspicious' and キモい is an informal term used to describe something as 'creepy,' 'gross,' or 'disgusting.'
Which one should you use?
While 変 often implies something is 'wrong' or 'strange' in a negative sense, the form 変わった is more frequently used to describe someone or something that is 'unusual' or 'eccentric' in a more descriptive or neutral way.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the adjective 'weird' to modify a noun directly, you should use the form 変な instead of just 変.
How do you pronounce it?
hen
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, the term 変態 (hentai) evolved from meaning 'abnormal' or 'transformation' to specifically referring to 'pervert'.
- Japanese culture uses the concept of 空気 meaning 'air' to describe the social atmosphere, and someone who says something 'weird' is often accused of 空気が読めない, or 'not being able to read the air'.
- While 変 often means 'weird' in daily life, in a formal or historical context it can mean 'change' or 'transformation' and is used in words for 'mutation' and 'revolution'.
Examples in context
- これは変だ。This is weird.This sentence is useful for saying 'This is weird' using 変.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
- 彼の言動は奇妙だな。His behavior is weird, isn't it?
- 彼女の考え方は少し変だと思います。I think her way of thinking is a bit weird.
- 最近、彼の行動がちょっと変だよね。Lately, his behavior has been a bit weird, don't you think?
- この映画、キモくて変だったよ。That movie was weird and creepy.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are walking through a park at night.
- 健太 Kenta結衣、あそこに変な影があるよ。Yui, asoko ni hen na kage ga aru yo.Yui, there is a weird shadow over there.
- 結衣 Yui本当？ちょっと怖すぎるよ。Hontou? Chotto kowasugiru yo.Really? That's a little too scary.
- 健太 Kenta大丈夫、ただの木かもしれない。Daijoubu, tada no ki kamo shirenai.It's okay, it might just be a tree.
- 結衣 Yuiでも、動きが変だった。Demo, ugoki ga hen datta.But the movement was weird.
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.
