Translation guide
The process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages, or a complete change of form, structure, or substance.
The natural process where an animal physically develops after birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure.
The standard biological term for metamorphosis in insects, amphibians, etc. It is a neutral scientific term, but note that the same word also means 'pervert' in colloquial Japanese, so context is important.
In casual conversation, 変態 is much more commonly used to mean 'pervert'. Use with care outside scientific contexts.
チョウは完全変態をする昆虫です。
Butterflies are insects that undergo complete metamorphosis.
カエルの変態は尾がなくなることで完了します。
A frog's metamorphosis is completed when its tail disappears.
Used as a suffix in compounds like 完全変態 (complete metamorphosis) or 不完全変態 (incomplete metamorphosis).
完全変態をする昆虫は幼虫、蛹、成虫の段階を経る。
Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis go through larval, pupal, and adult stages.
The verb form meaning 'to undergo metamorphosis'.
幼虫がさなぎになり、やがて成虫に変態する。
The larva becomes a pupa and eventually metamorphoses into an adult.
Specifically refers to the emergence of an adult insect from the pupa, i.e., eclosion. Not a general term for metamorphosis.
セミの羽化は夏の風物詩です。
The emergence of cicadas is a summer tradition.
A striking change in appearance, character, or circumstances, often for the better.
Commonly used for a dramatic change in appearance or identity, like in superhero transformations or makeovers. It implies a change into something else, often with a sense of disguise or new persona.
彼女はメイクでまるで別人のように変身した。
She transformed with makeup, looking like a completely different person.
主人公は魔法の力で変身する。
The protagonist transforms using magical power.
A general word for change or transformation. It can be used for gradual or abstract changes, not necessarily as dramatic as 'metamorphosis'.
Emphasizes a big or complete transformation, often used in makeover contexts.
Literally 'molting' or 'shedding skin', used metaphorically for breaking free from an old self or situation and starting anew.
A change of form or nature, often magical or symbolic, as in Kafka's 'Metamorphosis' or Ovid's tales.
Used for Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis' (変身). It is the standard translation for such literary transformations.
カフカの『変身』は不条理文学の傑作だ。
Kafka's 'Metamorphosis' is a masterpiece of absurdist literature.
Sometimes used in literary or mythological contexts for a change of form, but less common than 変身 for narrative transformations. It can sound more scientific or technical.
The title of Ovid's work is usually translated as 『変身物語』, but the word 変態 may appear in descriptions. Using 変身 is safer.
The word 変態 (へんたい) is the correct biological term for metamorphosis, but in everyday Japanese it overwhelmingly means 'pervert' or 'sexual deviant'. Unless the context is clearly scientific, using 変態 can cause misunderstanding or embarrassment. For non-scientific transformations, use 変身 (へんしん) or 変化 (へんか).
変身 (へんしん) implies a change into a different form or identity, often sudden and complete, like a disguise or magical transformation. 変化 (へんか) is a broader term for any kind of change, gradual or abstract. For 'metamorphosis' in the sense of a dramatic personal transformation, 変身 is usually more appropriate.
The town has undergone a great transformation.
部屋の模様替えで大変身した。
The room underwent a complete metamorphosis with the redecoration.
He shed his old self and started a new life.
オウィディウスの『変身物語』はギリシャ神話の変態を描いている。
Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' depicts transformations from Greek mythology.