変える (かえる) — Japanese Vocabulary
変える (かえる / kaeru): to change. N4 level Japanese vocabulary.
変える — かえる (kaeru)
Part of speech: verb-ru (transitive) JLPT level: N4 Reading: かえる (kaeru) Meaning: to change; to alter; to transform
Word Breakdown
変 (Kanji):
- Meaning: Change; strange; suspicious.
- On-yomi (音読み): ヘン (hen)
- Kun-yomi (訓読み): か.える (ka.eru), か.わる (ka.waru)
The kanji 変 depicts a person (大) under a roof, with hands (又) struggling to restore order to a chaotic situation, representing the act of change or transformation.
All Readings
- On-yomi: ヘン (hen)
- Kun-yomi: かえる (kaeru), かわる (kawaru)
- In this word: The kun-yomi かえる is used.
Example Sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 予定を変える。 | よていをかえる。 | Yotei o kaeru. | I will change the plans. |
| 髪型を変えました。 | かみがたをかえました。 | Kamigata o kaemashita. | I changed my hairstyle. |
| 席を変えてください。 | せきをかえてください。 | Seki o kaete kudasai. | Please change your seat. |
| 名前を変えたいです。 | なまえをかえたいです。 | Namae o kaetai desu. | I want to change my name. |
| 彼は態度を変えた。 | かれはたいどをかえた。 | Kare wa taido o kaeta. | He changed his attitude. |
| 部屋の模様替えをする。 | へやのもようがえをする。 | Heya no moyougae o suru. | I am rearranging (changing) the room. |
| 計画を変える必要がある。 | けいかくをかえるひつようがある。 | Keikaku o kaeru hitsuyou ga aru. | It is necessary to change the plan. |
| 意見を変えるつもりはありません。 | いけんをかえるつもりはありません。 | Iken o kaeru tsumori wa arimasen. | I have no intention of changing my opinion. |
Conjugation Table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Present | 変える | kaeru |
| Plain Negative | 変えない | kaenai |
| Plain Past | 変えた | kaeta |
| Plain Past Negative | 変えなかった | kaenakatta |
| Polite Present | 変えます | kaemasu |
| Polite Negative | 変えません | kaemasen |
| Polite Past | 変えました | kaemashita |
| Polite Past Negative | 変えませんでした | kaemasendeshita |
| Te-form | 変えて | kaete |
| Potential | 変えられる | kaerareru |
| Passive | 変えられる | kaerareru |
| Causative | 変えさせる | kaesaseru |
Related Words and Compounds
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 変わる | かわる | kawaru | to change (intransitive) |
| 変更 | へんこう | henkou | change/modification |
| 変化 | へんか | henka | change/variation |
| 変人 | へんじん | henjin | eccentric person |
| 模様替え | もようがえ | moyougae | rearranging a room |
| 気分転換 | きぶんてんかん | kibun tenkan | change of pace/refreshing |
| 変身 | へんしん | henshin | transformation |
| 大変 | たいへん | taihen | very/difficult/awful |
Common Mistakes
❌ 予定が変える → ✓ 予定が変わる
- Explanation: 変える is transitive (you change something). If the plan changes on its own, use the intransitive 変わる.
❌ 服を代える → ✓ 服を変える
- Explanation: While both are read "kaeru," 変える is for changing state/nature, while 代える (or 交換する) is for substituting or exchanging one thing for another.
In Context — Mini Dialogue
A: 予定を変えてもいいですか？
(Yotei o kaete mo ii desu ka?)
Can I change the plans?
B: ええ、大丈夫ですよ。何時にしますか？
(Ee, daijoubu desu yo. Nanji ni shimasu ka?)
Yes, that's fine. What time shall we make it?
A: 3時に変えたいです。
(San-ji ni kaetai desu.)
I want to change it to 3 o'clock.
Usage Notes
- Transitive vs. Intransitive: The most important distinction for learners is between 変える (transitive: I change X) and 変わる (intransitive: X changes). If you are the agent performing the action, use 変える. If you are describing a situation that has shifted, use 変わる.
- Nuance: 変える is a very general term. It can be used for physical objects (changing clothes), abstract concepts (changing plans/opinions), or even personal traits (changing one's attitude).
- Homophones: Be careful with the kanji. There are several verbs read as kaeru:
- 変える: To change (the focus of this page).
- 代える: To substitute/replace.
- 換える: To exchange/swap (like currency).
- 帰る: To return home.