転換（てんかん、tenkaん）
- conversion

The Japanese word 転換 てんかん primarily means "change," "conversion," "shift," or "transition." It signifies a fundamental alteration or turning point, often involving a change in direction, form, or state. It can apply to various contexts, including ideas, strategies, situations, and even physical transformations. ⚫︎ It suggests a significant alteration, not just a minor adjustment. ⚫︎ It implies a move from one state or position to another. ⚫︎ The change often has important implications.

⚫︎ 考え方を転換する Translation: To change one's way of thinking. ⚫︎ 政策の転換 Translation: A policy shift. ⚫︎ エネルギーの転換 Translation: Energy conversion/transition.

You use 転換 when talking about a substantial change or a major turning point. ⚫︎ It's suitable when you're discussing strategic shifts, transformations, or a complete change of direction. ⚫︎ It is appropriate for formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter. ⚫︎ It often works best when you want to highlight the significance or impact of the change. ⚫︎ When the concept is simple you can also use 変わる to express change.

転換 is written with the kanji 転 (ten) meaning "to turn" or "to revolve," and 換 (kan) meaning "to exchange" or "to convert." The reading is てんかん in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is fixed and does not change.

⚫︎ 変化(henka) - Change. ⚫︎ 変革(kakumei) - Revolution, reform. ⚫︎ 移行(ikou) - Transition, shift. ⚫︎ 切り替え(kirikae) - Switching, changeover.

⚫︎ 維持(iji) - Maintenance, preservation. ⚫︎ 継続(keizoku) - Continuation, persistence. ⚫︎ 不変(fuhen) - Immutability, permanence.

彼はキャリアを転換し、IT業界に入りました。 ・Translation: He changed his career and entered the IT industry. ・Explanation: This sentence shows a career 転換, a significant change in his professional life.

会社の経営戦略は、市場の変化に対応するために転換が必要でした。 ・Translation: The company's management strategy needed a shift to respond to changes in the market. ・Explanation: It highlights the need for a shift in strategy to adapt to external conditions.

The word 転換 is formed from the combination of two kanji. 転 (ten), which initially meant to "turn" or "revolve," and 換 (kan), which signifies "to exchange" or "to convert." Together, the two kanji create the meaning of a change or a turning of something, such as ideas, positions, or strategies, into a new state or form.