изменя́ться
izmenjátʹsjaimperfective
To change (to become something different) in Russian is изменя́ться (izmenjátʹsja). Wiktionary also lists меня́ться (menjátʹsja) and измени́ться (izmenítʹsja).
Meaning: to become something different (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| изменя́ться | izmenjátʹsja | imperfective |
| меня́ться | menjátʹsja | imperfective |
| измени́ться | izmenítʹsja | perfective |
If you are referring to a replacement, you can use the nouns заме́на or сме́на and if you are talking about a transfer between vehicles, use переса́дка.
Which one should you use?
Use the imperfective изменя́ться to describe an ongoing process of changing or a general tendency to change. Use the perfective измени́ться to describe a completed change that has resulted in a new state. While изменя́ться focuses on a transformation of state, меня́ться often implies an exchange or a mutual change between things/people.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix –ся in these verbs indicates that the subject is undergoing the change itself (reflexive/intransitive use).
How do you pronounce it?
izmenjátʹsja
Did you know?
- In Russian, the word изме́на shares a root with изменя́ться but means 'betrayal' or 'infidelity'. It describes a 'change' in loyalty.
- When talking about changing clothes, Russians use переоде́ться, which comes from the word for 'dress'. Using измени́ться here would imply a magical or spiritual transformation.
- When talking about loose coins or small change, Russians use the word мелочь instead of any form of the verb 'to change'.
Examples in context
- У нас произошло изменение планов.We have had a change of plans
- Я изменил свое отношение к этой ситуации.I have changed my attitude towards this situation
- Её характер может быстро изменя́ться.Yeyo kharakter mozhet bystro izmenyat'sya.Her character can change quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “change” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
