Japanese word

変身

Pronunciation

Romajihenshin

Meaning

  • nountransformation

Example

物語の主人公が変身します。monogatari no shu jin kō ga hen shin shi ma su

The main character in the story transforms.

Illustration for 変身 (transformation)

More examples

映画の最後に変身する場面がありました。ei ga no sai go ni hen shin su ru ba men ga a ri ma shi ta

There was a transformation scene at the end of the movie.

Core concept

Describes a change in a person's or creature's form into a different form, often as a notable event.

Common phrases

  • 変身するhen shin su ru

    transform

  • 変身の場面hen shin no ba men

    transformation scene

  • 変身の瞬間hen shin no shun kan

    moment of transformation

Similar words

変化henka: A change in condition, appearance, or nature.
変形henkei: A change in shape, especially when an object takes a different shape.

Definition in Japanese

人や物の姿や形が別のものに変わること。また、姿や形を別のものに変えること。hito ya mono no sugata ya katachi ga betsu no mo no ni ka wa ru ko to ma ta sugata ya katachi o betsu no mo no ni ka e ru ko to

Word origin

変身 (henshin) combines 変 (hen, "change") and 身 (shin, "body"), giving the sense of changing one's body or form.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 変身ヒーロー (henshin hīrō) describes a superhero whose story includes a transformation into a powered form, especially in Japanese superhero fiction.

Other meanings

  • metamorphosisnoun
  • shapeshiftingnoun

Word lists with this word