転々・転転|てんてんtenten[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Which spelling to use
転々転々 is the more common written form and the recommended choice for beginners.
転転転転 is a less common written variant of 転々; learners should generally choose 転々 instead.
Definitions
  1. adverb (with と), noun, suru verbmoving from place to place; being passed around repeatedly
    彼かれらは会社かいしゃを転々てんてんとした。↗
    They were transferred from one office to another.
  2. adverb (with と), noun, suru verbrolling about
Conjugation
Dictionary form転々する(てんてんする)
Polite (masu)転々します(てんてんします)
Negative (nai)転々しない(てんてんしない)
polite (masen)転々しません(てんてんしません)
classical zu / nu転々せず・転々せぬ(てんてんせず・てんてんせぬ)
Past (ta)転々した(てんてんした)
polite (mashita)転々しました(てんてんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)転々しなかった(てんてんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)転々しませんでした(てんてんしませんでした)
Te form転々して(てんてんして)
Potential転々できる(てんてんできる)
Passive転々される(てんてんされる)
Causative転々させる(てんてんさせる)
Causative passive転々させられる(てんてんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)転々すれば(てんてんすれば)
tara転々したら(てんてんしたら)
Volitional転々しよう(てんてんしよう)
polite (mashou)転々しましょう(てんてんしましょう)
Imperative転々しろ(てんてんしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym放浪ほうろうNeutralNeutral word for roaming about, with a nuance of unrestrained freedom; 「転々」 focuses on repeated relocation.
  • Synonym漂泊ひょうはくWrittenWritten word for drifting about, also drifting with the waves or tide; 「転々」 stresses repeated moves.
  • Synonym流浪るろうWrittenWritten word for wandering the land with a melancholy, forlorn coloring; 「転々」 is more neutral.
  • SynonymさすらうWrittenLiterary verb for aimless drifting and wandering; 「転々」 instead stresses frequent changes of residence or work.
  • Synonym流れ歩くながれあるくNeutralNeutral phrase for wandering about, stressing the walking itself; 「転々」 focuses on changing where one lives.
  • Synonym漂浪ひょうろうWrittenRare written word for drifting and wandering; 「放浪」 is the usual choice.
  • Related経巡るへめぐるWrittenWritten word for traveling around and touring various places; 「転々」 stresses repeated, frequent shifting.
  • Antonym定着ていちゃくNeutralAntonym: settling in one place or taking root, the opposite of 「転々」's repeated relocation.

Use 「転々」 for frequent moves of home or job, as in 「職を転々とする」. For drifting or wandering say 「放浪」 or 「流浪」; 「さすらう」 is literary; 「定着」 means settling down.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 転ころがること。また、そのようなさま。
  2. あちこちへ移り変うつりかわること。また、そのようなさま。
Kanji in this word

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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