King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “transformation”

Romaji: henkei
transformation; variation; metamorphosis; modification

In Japanese, transformation is , read (henkei).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. adj-no, n, vi transformation; variation; metamorphosis; modification; deformation; variety

Kanji and stroke order

unusual, change, strange
on: ヘン
kun: か.わる、か.わり、か.える
9 strokes · JLPT 2
shape, form, style
on: ケイ、ギョウ
kun: かた、-がた、かたち、なり
7 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “transformation”

WordReadingMeaning
へんか henkachange; variation; alteration
へんたい hentaitransformation
へんしん henshinmetamorphosis; disguise; transformation
へんかん henkanchange; conversion; transformation
へんよう hen'youchange in appearance; transformation

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
たいへん taihenvery; greatly; terribly
へんこう henkouchange; modification; alteration
へんか henkachange; variation; alteration
かわる kawaruto change; to be transformed; to be altered
へんどう hendouchange; fluctuation
へんしん henshinmetamorphosis; disguise; transformation
けいしき keishikiform (as opposed to substance)
にんぎょう ningyoudoll; puppet; marionette

See also: Chinese symbol for “transformation”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

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