変える

• Reading: かえる
• Romaji: kaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 変 (hen/ka) — change, strange, unusual
• Pronunciation: /ka.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To change; to alter; to transform; to convert something from one state to another.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. The agent actively causes a change, unlike the intransitive 変わる (kawaru). Common patterns: 予定を変える (change plans), 色を変える (change the colour), 考えを変える (change one's mind). Not to be confused with 帰る (kaeru, to go home) or 返す (kaesu, to return something).

Examples

1. 部屋の壁の色を変えたいです。 I want to change the color of the walls in my room.
2. 予定を変えてもいいですか。 Is it okay if I change the plans?
3. 髪の色を変えたら友達に気づかれなかった。 When I changed my hair color, my friends didn't recognize me.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, planning, fashion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Uses the same kanji 変 as 変わる. The える ending marks it as a transitive ichidan verb, giving the speaker agency over the change being described.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal