変種(へんしゅ)

へんしゅ
noun
variant; variety; subspecies
science
1. variant; variety; subspecies
In biology, a taxonomic rank below species denoting a naturally occurring variation. Used for distinct forms of plants, animals, or microorganisms such as virus variants.
この花(はな)は野生(やせい)の変種(へんしゅ)だ。
This flower is a wild variety.
新(あたら)しいウイルスの変種(へんしゅ)が発見(はっけん)された。
A new variant of the virus was discovered.
この植物(しょくぶつ)には多(おお)くの変種(へんしゅ)が存在(そんざい)する。
Many varieties of this plant exist.
2. a variant form; an unusual type (figurative)
Used outside of biology to describe something that is a modified or unusual version of an existing type, such as a variant of a scam or a twist on a traditional dish.
それは詐欺(さぎ)の変種(へんしゅ)だ。
That's a variant of a scam.
この料理(りょうり)は伝統的(でんとうてき)なカレーの変種(へんしゅ)と言(い)える。
This dish could be called a variant of traditional curry.
そのゲームは古典的(こてんてき)なパズルの変種(へんしゅ)にすぎない。
That game is nothing more than a variant of a classic puzzle.

Composed of 変(へん) (change, variation) and 種(しゅ) (species, type). In biology, it refers to a subspecific taxonomic rank (variety or variant). In general usage, it describes something that is a modified or unusual form of an existing type.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 変異(へんい): mutation — focuses on genetic change; 変異株(へんいかぶ) is the more technical term for virus variants
  • 亜種(あしゅ): subspecies — a biological term for a taxonomic rank between species and variety
  • バリエーション: variation — the loanword, more casual

Related Words

Compare: 変異(へんい) (mutation)
Compare: 亜種(あしゅ) (subspecies)
general
Added 2026.4.6 23:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
22000/22498_henshu