着替える
kikaeru[kʲi̥ka̠e̞ɾɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for "get dressed" is 着替える (kikaeru).
着替える is used to describe the process of changing one's outfit. While English speakers might use "get dressed" to mean putting on clothes for the first time, in Japanese, 着替える specifically implies changing from one set of clothes into another.
Meaning: to beclothe oneself, to put on clothes (verb)
Which one should you use?
If you want to describe the act of putting on a specific garment, use 着る. In contrast, 着替える is used to describe the overall process of changing your clothes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 着替える is 着替えた, which means "changed clothes" or "got dressed".
How do you pronounce it?
kikaeru
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the verb for 'to wear' changes depending on the body part. While 着る is for the torso, you would never use it for shoes or hats, which use entirely different verbs.
- The concept of 'changing clothes' can be used metaphorically in Japanese to describe a change in identity or social role.
- The word 着替える uses the verb 替える, which implies a complete substitution, much like swapping one coin for another. This is why the phrase focuses on the act of changing rather than just the state of being clothed.
Examples in context
- トムは息子が服を着替えるのを手伝った。Tom helped his son get dressed.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 着替える when describing helping someone else change.Tatoeba #8896798 by bunbuku, translation #1025230 by CK
- お支度をお願いします。Please get dressed.
- 今日は大切な会議の日ですから、身支度をしっかりと整えましょう。Today is an important meeting, so let's get dressed properly.
Example conversation
A parent telling a child to get ready for school.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、もう着替えた？Yōta, mō kigaeta?Yōta, did you get dressed already?
- 陽太 Yotaまだだよ。今から着替えるね。mada dayo. ima kara kigaeru ne.Not yet. I'll get dressed now.
- 陽葵 Himari急いで。遅れるよ。isoide. okureru yo.Hurry up. You'll be late.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。すぐにやるよ。wakatta. sugu ni yaru yo.I got it. I'll do it right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 着替える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 着替える, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
