change / strange
N3- Onyomi
- ヘン
- Kunyomi
- か(わる)
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 変 down and you get 亦 (also / likewise) — a figure with a matching mark tucked under each arm, and beside it 夂 (walk slowly) — a foot trailing behind the one in front. Picture two people standing side by side, put 変 inside it, and let that scene stand for "change" — change / strange. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 9
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は9画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 9 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
変更
henkou
change
変わる
kawaru
to change (intransitive)
変える
kaeru
to change something
激変
gekihen
drastic change
変遷
hensen
transition
変動
hendou
fluctuation
Example sentences (5)
会議の時間を三時に変更しました。
かいぎ の じかん を さんじ に へんこう しました。
kaigi no jikan o sanji ni henkou shimashita.
The meeting time was changed to three o'clock.
予定が変更になる場合は、前の日までに連絡します。
よてい が へんこう に なる ばあい は、まえ の ひ まで に れんらく します。
yotei ga henkou ni naru baai wa, mae no hi made ni renraku shimasu.
If the schedule changes, we will contact you by the day before.
会議の時間が三時に変わりました。
かいぎ の じかん が さんじ に かわりました。
kaigi no jikan ga sanji ni kawarimashita.
The meeting time changed to three o'clock.
日本に来てから、食事の習慣がずいぶん変わりました。
にほん に きて から、しょくじ の しゅうかん が ずいぶん かわりました。
nihon ni kite kara, shokuji no shuukan ga zuibun kawarimashita.
Since coming to Japan, my eating habits have changed quite a lot.
会議の日を金曜日に変えました。
かいぎ の ひ を きんようび に かえました。
kaigi no hi o kin'youbi ni kaemashita.
I changed the meeting day to Friday.