異動

いどう

a change, transfer

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"異動" (いどう) primarily refers to a change or transfer within a company or organization, such as moving to a different department or branch. It is commonly used in business contexts to describe personnel changes.

Common Contexts

This word is often seen in workplace announcements, HR communications, and conversations about job changes. It implies an official or formal change rather than casual movement.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 異動になる: to be transferred
  • 異動の連絡: notification of transfer
  • 異動先: the new department or location after transfer

Register and Nuance

"異動" is a formal term used in business and official settings. It is polite and neutral, suitable for workplace communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "異動" with "移動" (also read いどう), which means physical movement or relocation of objects or people. Remember, "異動" is specifically about personnel or organizational changes.

Example Sentences

らいげつ、えいぎょうぶからきかくぶへいどうになります。

Next month, I will be transferred from the sales department to the planning department.

かいしゃのいどうでとうきょうししゃにいくことになった。

Due to a company transfer, I will be going to the Tokyo branch office.

いどうのれんらくはじんじぶからくることがおおいです。

Notifications about transfers often come from the human resources department.