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.
この花は野生の変種だ。
This flower is a wild variety.
新しいウイルスの変種が発見された。
A new variant of the virus was discovered.
この植物には多くの変種が存在する。
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.
それは詐欺の変種だ。
That's a variant of a scam.
この料理は伝統的なカレーの変種と言える。
This dish could be called a variant of traditional curry.
そのゲームは古典的なパズルの変種にすぎない。
That game is nothing more than a variant of a classic puzzle.
Composed of 変 (change, variation) and 種 (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:
- ウイルスの変種: virus variant
- 植物の変種: plant variety
- 〜の変種: a variant of ~
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 変異: mutation — focuses on genetic change; 変異株 is the more technical term for virus variants
- 亜種: subspecies — a biological term for a taxonomic rank between species and variety
- バリエーション: variation — the loanword, more casual