How to say "variety" in Japanese

• 種類しゅるいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers variety in the sense of a kind, type or sort of thing. The default choice when counting or distinguishing kinds, as in different varieties of rice or cheese.
  動物園どうぶつえんにはたくさんの種類しゅるいの動物どうぶつがいる。↗

  There are many kinds of animals in the zoo.
• バラエティCommon
  nounThe katakana loanword for variety. Best known from entertainment, as in variety shows and programs; it can also convey the idea of a richly varied mix.
• 変わり種かわりだねCommon
  nounVariety as in an unusual variant: something out of the ordinary among otherwise ordinary things, or a novelty item. Fits talk of quirky products or dishes that break the mold.
• 多様性たようせいCommon
  nounThe abstract sense: variety or diversity as a quality of a group, system or field, as in diversity of opinions, cultures or species. The word for variety in discussions of inclusion and biodiversity.
  現行げんこうの法律ほうりつは人種じんしゅの多様性たようせいを考慮こうりょしていない。↗

  Existing legislation does not take diversity of races into account.
• 変形へんけいCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveReally means transformation or modification of form, not variety as kinds or assortment. Seldom the word you want here; consider it only when variety means a variation in shape or form.
  私の議論ぎろんはある意味いみでは、『孤独こどくな群集ぐんしゅう』でデビュド・リースマンが行おこなった議論ぎろんを変形へんけいしたものである。↗

  In a sense, I am turning around the argument made by David Riesman in The Lonely Crowd.

Use 種類 for kinds and types, 多様性 for abstract diversity, 「バラエティ」 for entertainment or a varied mix, 「変わり種」 for an odd variant, and 変形 only for variation as change of form.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 種類しゅるいvariety
• バラエティvariety
• 変わり種かわりだねsomething out of the ordinary
• 多様性たようせいdiversity
• 変形へんけいtransformation
• 変型へんけいvariety
• 千般せんぱんvariety
• ヴァリエテvariety
• 変種へんしゅvariant
• 千々ちぢthousands
• 変化へんかvariety
• 品種ひんしゅbreed
• 種くさvariety
• めりはりvariation
• 色いろkind