一変(いっぺん)

いっぺん
noun / verb (する)
sudden change, complete transformation
1. sudden change, complete transformation
A dramatic and total change from one state to another. Emphasizes that the transformation is abrupt and comprehensive, not gradual.
状況(じょうきょう)が一変(いっぺん)した。
The situation changed completely.
あの事件(じけん)をきっかけに、彼(かれ)の人生(じんせい)は一変(いっぺん)した。
That incident completely transformed his life.
スマートフォンの登場(とうじょう)で私(わたし)たちの生活(せいかつ)は一変(いっぺん)し、情報(じょうほう)の集(あつ)め方(かた)も大(おお)きく変(か)わった。
The advent of smartphones completely transformed our lives, and the way we gather information changed drastically.

一変(いっぺん) combines 一(いち) (one, single) and 変(へん) (change), conveying the sense of "changing in one stroke."

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 状況(じょうきょう)が一変(いっぺん)する (the situation changes completely)
  • 人生(じんせい)が一変(いっぺん)する (one's life is transformed)
  • 雰囲気(ふんいき)が一変(いっぺん)する (the atmosphere changes completely)
  • 景色(けしき)が一変(いっぺん)する (the scenery changes completely)
  • 一変(いっぺん)させる (to transform completely — transitive)

USAGE NOTES:

  • Almost always used as a する verb: 一変(いっぺん)する
  • Emphasizes the completeness and abruptness of the change
  • Common in news and written narratives describing turning points
general
Added 2026.2.15 9:23
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