Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 変わる | kawaru | [ka̠β̞a̠ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 変化する | henka suru |
The verb 変わる is used to describe the process of something becoming different. Related nouns like 乗り換え refer specifically to a transfer between vehicles, while お釣り, 釣り銭 or 釣り refer to the balance returned after a purchase.
Which one should you use?
While 変わる is the most common way to say something changes, 変化する is used to mean transform or undergo a change, often in a more formal, technical or academic context. For modifying or revising things like plans, schedules or documents, the term 変更する (to modify/change) is used instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 変わる can be used to express both the present tense (changes or will change) and the habitual tense. For the past tense (changed), use 変わった.
How do you pronounce it?
kawaru
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 変わる to mean 'to change something' (transitive). It is an intransitive verb, meaning it describes how 'something changes' rather than an action performed on an object.
Did you know?
- While 変わる is an intransitive verb, its transitive counterpart 変える looks almost identical but describes the act of changing something else.
- While you might use 変わる to say 'the weather changes', if you want to say you are 'changing' your clothes, you must use a different verb entirely, such as 着替える.
- The word 変更 for modifying a schedule is derived from characters meaning 'to exchange' and 'to move'. It treats a change in plans as moving a marker from one spot to another.
Examples in context
- 街が変われば人も変わる。If a town changes, people will change too.This sentence shows how a change in one thing can lead to a change in another using 変わる.Tatoeba #11022954 by small_snow, translation #13701676 by terrywallwork
- 俺の気が変わる前に、行け。Go, before I change my mind.This sentence uses 変わる to express a change in someone's mind.Tatoeba #11199139 by small_snow, translation #9496083 by DJ_Saidez
- トムが変わるわけないだろ。Tom isn't going to change.This sentence uses 変わる to state that someone is not going to undergo a change.Tatoeba #11574642 by bunbuku, translation #3001266 by CK
- この町は最近大きな変化を遂げました。This town recently went through significant changes.
- 会議の時間に変更があります。There is a change in the meeting time.
- 最近の天気は急に変わりましたね。The weather suddenly changed recently, didn't it?
- 服のスタイルを変えたいな。I want to change my clothing style.
- この街は大きく変わりました。This town has changed significantly.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “change” translations and entries 変わる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
