Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 変わる | kawaru | [ka̠β̞a̠ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 変化する | henka suru |
The primary way to express that something undergoes a change is through the intransitive verb 変わる. This is used when something changes on its own or undergoes a change. For example, the idiomatic phrase 気が変わる is the standard way to say 'to change one's mind'. For more technical, academic or scientific descriptions of undergoing change, you might use 変化する or 変動する to describe fluctuations or variations.
Which one should you use?
There is a crucial distinction between the intransitive 変わる and the transitive verb 変える. Use 変わる when something changes on its own, but use 変える if you are performing the action of changing something else. Additionally, while 変わる is the common, everyday term, 変化する is a more formal, technical or academic way to express the same concept of undergoing change.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 変わる is 変わった.
How do you pronounce it?
kawaru
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use the intransitive 変わる when you actually mean to say that you are changing something. If you are the agent performing the change on an object, you should use the transitive verb 変える instead.
Did you know?
- When talking about changing clothes, Japanese speakers do not use 変わる or 変える, but instead use the verb 着替える, which combines 'wear' and 'change'.
- In Japanese, the word 変化 from 変化する is used to name the 'change-up' pitch in baseball, called 変化球.
- The idiom for changing your mind, 気が変わる, refers to the change of 気, which can mean spirit, energy or atmosphere.
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 changes in a town can affect people 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 the idiom 気が変わる to express changing one'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 express that someone is not expected to change.Tatoeba #11574642 by bunbuku, translation #3001266 by CK
- スケジュールを変える前に、あなたに相談します。I will consult with you before changing the schedule.
- 天気が変わっちゃったから、予定を変えよう。The weather unexpectedly changed, so let's change our plans.
- 彼はいつも考えを変えちゃうんだよ。He always changes his mind.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about the weather.
- 美咲 Misaki急に天気が変わったね。Kyū ni tenki ga kawatta ne.The weather changed suddenly, didn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。雨が降りそうだね。Hontō da. Ame ga furisō da ne.You're right. It looks like it's going to rain.
- 美咲 Misaki気分まで変わるよね。Kibun made kawaru yo ne.Even your mood changes, right?
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。早く家に帰ろう。Sō da ne. Hayaku ie ni kaerō.Yeah. Let's go home quickly.
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.
