Translation and Meaning of: 移行 - ikou

If you are studying Japanese, you have probably come across the term 移行 (いこう), which means "change to" or "transition." This word appears in various contexts, from technology to life planning, and understanding its origin and usage can be the key to memorizing it once and for all. In this article, we will explore the etymology, the pictogram, the meaning, and how this word is applied in everyday Japanese. Additionally, you will discover practical tips to fix it in your vocabulary and even some curiosities that make learning more interesting.

In Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you can find not only the translation of 移行, but also examples of ready-made sentences to study on Anki or another spaced repetition system. If you have already tried to memorize kanji and felt that you lacked real context, this text will help to connect the dots naturally.

Etymology and origin of 移行

The word 移行 (いこう) is composed of two kanji: 移, which means "to move" or "to transfer", and 行, which carries the sense of "to go" or "to execute". Together, they form the idea of an active transition, such as moving from one state to another. This construction is not random— in Japanese, many are created by the logical combination of radicals, and 移行 is a clear example of this.

The kanji 移 appears in other words such as 移動 (いどう) (movement) and 移民 (いみん) (immigration), always with the notion of displacement. Meanwhile, 行 is even more versatile, found in like 行動 (こうどう) (action) and 旅行 (りょこう) (travel). Recognizing these connections makes memorization easier, as you start to see patterns in the language.

Everyday use and common contexts

In daily life, 移行 is often used in situations that involve planned changes. For example, companies announce システムの移行 (しすてむのいこう) when they migrate from one software to another. It is also common in discussions about renewable energy, such as 再生可能エネルギーへの移行 (さいせいかのうえねるぎーへのいこう)—the transition to sustainable sources.

An interesting detail is that, although 移行 can be translated as "transition," it carries a more technical nuance than the term 変化 (へんか), which indicates a generic transformation. Therefore, you will hardly see 移行 being used to describe emotional or climatic changes, for example. It is more related to intentional and structured processes.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 移行 is to associate it with real-life situations. Imagine that you are helping a company migrate data to the cloud—there you have a vivid context for the word. Another tip is to create flashcards with images of arrows or transition graphs, as the brain tends to retain visual information better.

Culturally, the Japanese value planning and well-defined stages, and 移行 reflects that. It's no surprise that the term appears so often in manuals and official documents. If you've ever read a contract or technical guide in Japanese, you've probably come across it. How about trying to identify 移行 the next time you read something in that style? Constant practice is what transforms knowledge into skill.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 転換 (tenkan) - Change, conversion; change of direction.
• 変換 (henkan) - Conversion, transformation; generally refers to a change in form or type.
• 移り変わり (utsurikawari) - Change, transition; gradual change of state or condition.
• 移動 (idou) - Movement, displacement; the act of moving from one place to another.
• 変遷 (hensen) - Evolution, change over time; refers to processes of historical or social change.