Japanese word

異変

Pronunciation

Romajiihen

Meaning

  • nounsomething unusual

Example

町で異変が起きています。machi de i hen ga o ki te i ma su

Something unusual is happening in town.

Illustration for 異変 (something unusual)

More examples

夜中に、部屋の中で異変を感じました。yo naka ni heya no naka de i hen o kan ji ma shi ta

Late at night, I sensed something unusual in the room.

Core concept

Describes a noticeable departure from the normal state, often signaling that something has gone wrong or changed unexpectedly.

Common phrases

  • 異変が起きるi hen ga o ki ru

    something unusual happens

  • 異変に気づくi hen ni ki zu ku

    notice something unusual

  • 異変を感じるi hen o kan ji ru

    sense something unusual

  • 異変を察知するi hen o sat chi su ru

    detect something unusual

Similar words

異常ijō: A condition that differs from what is normal or expected.
異状ijō: An unusual condition noticed in a person, machine, or system.
変調henchō: A change that disrupts the normal condition or functioning of something.

Definition in Japanese

普段とは違った出来事や状態。fu dan to wa chiga tta de ki goto ya jō tai

Word origin

異変 (ihen) combines 異 (i, "different") and 変 (hen, "change"), giving the sense of a change that differs from what is usual.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 異変 (ihen) usually suggests a worrying or undesirable departure from normal conditions, so it is stronger than a neutral change.

Other meanings

  • abnormalitynoun
  • change for the worsenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word