突然変異(とつぜんへんい)

とつぜんへんい
noun
mutation; genetic mutation
technical
1. mutation; genetic mutation
A sudden, random change in the DNA sequence of an organism that can alter traits. Used in biology and genetics.
突然変異(とつぜんへんい)が起(お)きた。
A mutation occurred.
放射線(ほうしゃせん)は突然変異(とつぜんへんい)を引(ひ)き起(お)こすことがある。
Radiation can cause mutations.
ウイルスの突然変異(とつぜんへんい)によって新(あたら)しい株(かぶ)が生(う)まれた。
A new strain emerged through a mutation of the virus.
2. sudden, unexpected change; freak occurrence
Used figuratively to describe something that deviates dramatically and unexpectedly from the norm.
彼(かれ)はこの業界(ぎょうかい)の突然変異(とつぜんへんい)のような存在(そんざい)だ。
He's like a freak of nature in this industry.
平凡(へいぼん)な家庭(かてい)から突然変異(とつぜんへんい)的(てき)に天才(てんさい)が現(あらわ)れた。
A genius appeared as if by mutation from an ordinary family.
あの選手(せんしゅ)の活躍(かつやく)は、このチームにとって突然変異(とつぜんへんい)のようなものだった。
That player's performance was like a freak occurrence for this team.

突然変異(とつぜんへんい) primarily refers to genetic mutation in biology, and is also used figuratively for something unexpectedly extraordinary.

Forms

突然(とつぜん) (sudden) + 変異(へんい) (variation, mutation).

Common collocations

  • 突然変異(とつぜんへんい)が起(お)きる: a mutation occurs
  • 突然変異(とつぜんへんい)を引(ひ)き起(お)こす: to cause a mutation
  • 突然変異(とつぜんへんい)体(たい): mutant (organism)
  • 突然変異(とつぜんへんい)的(てき): mutant-like, freakish

Usage

When used figuratively, 突然変異(とつぜんへんい)的(てき) often carries admiration — describing exceptional talent or results appearing unexpectedly from ordinary origins.

Related Words

Related: 染色体(せんしょくたい) (chromosome)
Related: 自然選択(しぜんせんたく) (natural selection)
general
Added 2026.3.24 18:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
19000/19099_totsuzenheni