変える
kaeru[ka̠e̞ɾɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for 'to change' is 変える (kaeru).
変える is a general verb used when you are making something different from what it was before, such as changing objects, circumstances or actions.
Which one should you use?
There are important distinctions between the different forms of 'to change' in Japanese. 変える is a transitive verb, meaning you change something else. In contrast, 変わる is the intransitive equivalent, used when something changes on its own. For more formal contexts, such as conveying an official modification or a formal change, use 変更する.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express a desire to change something, you can use the stem form plus たい to get 変えたい. If you want to say that something was changed (the passive voice), use the form 変えられた.
How do you pronounce it?
kaeru
Did you know?
- The word 変える shares the same sound as 帰る, which means 'to return home'. Without the kanji or context, a listener cannot tell if you are changing something or going back to your house.
- In Japanese, changing a lightbulb, swapping a coin, and substituting a person each require a different kanji for the sound kaeru. While they sound identical, the written character signals if you are modifying, exchanging or replacing.
- The kanji used in 変える is not just for 'change', but also contains the meaning of 'strange' or 'unusual'. This connects the idea of a modification to the concept of something being weird.
Examples in context
- 食生活を変えるべき？Do I have to change my diet?This sentence uses 変える to discuss changing a diet.Tatoeba #11568352 by bunbuku, translation #258752 by CK
- 悪い習慣を変えるのは難しいよ。It's hard to change a bad habit.This sentence uses 変える to discuss the difficulty of changing a bad habit.Tatoeba #191467 by arnab, translation #28629 by pyrachi
- 自分の考えを変えるつもりはない。I'm not going to change my mind.This sentence uses 変える to express the intent regarding changing one's mind.Tatoeba #11140969 by small_snow, translation #2541345 by CK
- 天気予報が変わりました。The weather forecast changed.
- 会議の日程を変更します。We will change the meeting schedule.
- 彼の考え方が変わりました。His way of thinking changed.
- 心配ごとが変わった。The thing I was worried about changed.
- 明日の計画を変えちゃった。I went ahead and changed tomorrow's plan.
- 意見は変わらない。My opinion hasn't changed.
- 彼は考えを変えた。He changed his mind.
- 考えを変えた彼The one who changed his mind
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 変える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
