change

(red) + (eachbottom)
★★★★★
9 strokes

Onyomi

HEN

The egg changes into a HEN after hatching.

Mnemonic

Each red Communist changes into a yuppie when they turn 30.

Kunyomi

( ) か*える I change something
★★★★★
( ) か*わる something changes
★★★★★
へん ( ) abnormal or bad FR
★★★★★

Jukugo

変化(へんか) する

transformation, change ★★★★★
(change) + (transform) = 変化 (transformation, change)

大変(たいへん)

that's terrible! ★★★★★
(big) + (change) = 大変 (that's terrible!)

this has 2 meanings, both used equally often:

"Tony is tai hen!" , for instance, could mean:

a) I feel sorry for Tony because his job sucks and his girl is cheating.

b) Tony is a really scary, mean person. 

変態(へんたい)

perv ★★★★☆
(change) + (looks like) = 変態 (perv)

What your brother and sister call you when they catch you peeking in the bathroom while they're doing it in the toilet.

Lookalikes

Meaning Hint Radical
passion HEART
change EACH

HEARTS feel passion,

but EACH lover wants to change for another!

Synonyms

remodel, improve, reform
改造    改善    改良する    改善    改良    変更    更新    改める    改革/    レフォーム 矯める