Japanese symbol for “transformation”
変形
へんけい
Romaji: henkei
transformation; variation; metamorphosis; modification
In Japanese, transformation is 変形, read へんけい (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
- adj-no, n, vi transformation; variation; metamorphosis; modification; deformation; variety
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “transformation”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 変化 | へんか henka | change; variation; alteration |
| 変態 | へんたい hentai | transformation |
| 変身 | へんしん henshin | metamorphosis; disguise; transformation |
| 変換 | へんかん henkan | change; conversion; transformation |
| 変容 | へんよう hen'you | change in appearance; transformation |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 大変 | たいへん taihen | very; greatly; terribly |
| 変更 | へんこう henkou | change; modification; alteration |
| 変化 | へんか henka | change; variation; alteration |
| 変わる | かわる kawaru | to change; to be transformed; to be altered |
| 変動 | へんどう hendou | change; fluctuation |
| 変身 | へんしん henshin | metamorphosis; disguise; transformation |
| 形式 | けいしき keishiki | form (as opposed to substance) |
| 人形 | にんぎょう ningyou | doll; 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.