引っ越す (hikkosu)
Although the meaning of the words seem to be very similar the meaning behind these terms is different. 引っ越す’means to move location while the 移る means to move, as in movement, or changing department.
This is a JLPT N4 level vocabulary term and we will start with 引越す / 引っ越す.
Kana: ひっこす
Kanji: 引越す / 引っ越す
Romaji: hikkosu
Type: Verb
Being a verb, verbs usually convey a meaning of action, or a state of being. In this case 引っ越す is the verb of moving location. For example when moving a house.
Example:
私は東京に引っ越すつもりだ。
watashi wa toukyou ni hikkosu tsumori da.
I intend to move to Tokyo.
あなたはひっこすのですか？
Anata wa hikkosu no desuka?
Are you going to move?
移る (utsuru)
The term ‘utsuru’ means to move onto something other than what you are doing at the moment, being just movement or just moving on a different page or area.
移る (utsuru).
Meaning: to move; to transfer (department)
to change the target of interest or concern
Type: Verb, Godan verb, Intransitive verb
Example:
私は次の話題にうつる
わたしはつぎのわだいにうつる。
watashi wa tsugi no wadai ni utsuru.
I’ll move on to the next topic.