異動

• Reading: いどう
• Romaji: idou
• Kanji breakdown: 異 (i) — different, unusual; 動 (dō) — move, motion
• Pronunciation: /i.doː/

Meaning

Personnel transfer; job reassignment. A change in position or department within an organisation.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (異動する). Specifically refers to personnel changes within a company or organisation — department transfers, promotions, relocations. Distinct from 移動 (physical movement). Common patterns include 人事異動 (personnel reshuffle), 部署異動 (department transfer), and 異動になる (to be transferred). A word heard frequently during April, the start of the Japanese fiscal year.

Examples

1. 来月から大阪支社に異動になった。 Starting next month, I'm being transferred to the Osaka branch.
2. 春は人事異動が多い時期だ。 Spring is the season when personnel transfers are most common.
3. 彼女は営業部から企画部に異動した。 She was transferred from the sales department to the planning department.

Usage Guide

Context: business, human resources, corporate life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 異 (i, different/unusual) and 動 (dō, move). Literally 'moving to a different place' — specifically within an organisational context.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Professional