Translation and Meaning of: 変わる - kawaru

The Japanese word 変わる (かわる, kawaru) is an essential verb for anyone learning the language, as it frequently appears in daily conversations, songs, and even in animes. If you have ever wondered what it means, how to use it correctly, or what its origin is, this article will help you understand everything about this versatile term. Here at Suki Nihongo, our Japanese dictionary, we strive to provide clear and practical explanations to facilitate your learning.

変わる can be translated as "to change" or "to transform," but its use goes beyond the literal meaning. It appears in contexts ranging from physical changes to emotional ones, and understanding its nuances is essential for mastering Japanese. In this text, we will explore everything from the writing of the kanji to examples of how it is used in Japanese culture, ensuring that you can memorize it and apply it with confidence.

Meaning and usage of 変わる in everyday Japanese.

The verb 変わる carries the idea of transformation, whether concrete or abstract. It can indicate anything from a change in the weather (天気が変わる) to an alteration in someone's emotional state (気持ちが変わる). Its versatility makes it one of the most useful words for describing processes of transition, in both positive and negative situations.

An interesting feature is that 変わる is an intransitive verb, meaning it describes an action that happens by itself, without the need for an external agent. This differs from the transitive verb 変える (kaeru), which indicates a change brought about by someone. For example: "The scenery changed" would be 景色が変わった, while "He changed the scenery" would be 彼が景色を変えた.

The origin and writing of the kanji 変

The kanji 変 (hen, ka.waru) is composed of elements that already suggest its essence. According to the Kangorin dictionary, it combines the radical for "thread" (糸) with the component "against" (反), creating the idea of something that twists or changes in relation to its original state. This visual composition perfectly reinforces the concept of change that the word carries.

It is worth noting that 変 also appears in other important , such as 変化 (henka, "change"), 変身 (henshin, "transformation"), and even 変人 (henjin, "eccentric person"). Observing these connections can be a great strategy to expand your vocabulary while learning the main verb.

How to memorize and practice 変わる

An effective tip to 変わる is to associate it with real-life situations where changes are evident. Think about the seasons of the year (季節が変わる), personal growth (考え方が変わった), or even technology that evolves rapidly (時代が変わった). Creating personal sentences with contexts that make sense to you makes learning much more natural.

Another proven method is spaced repetition, using apps like Anki. Include in your list flashcards with examples like 彼の態度が変わった (his attitude changed) or ルールが変わります (the rules will change). Listening to Japanese songs that contain this word also helps, as the melody and emotional context strengthen memorization.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 変化する (henka suru) - change, alteration
• 変える (kaeru) - change, alter something
• 変じる (henjiru) - transform, change shape
• 変わり映えする (kawari-bae suru) - show variation, visible change
• 変わり者 (kawarimono) - peculiar person, someone different
• 変転する (henten suru) - change, especially in complicated situations
• 変容する (henyō suru) - transformation, change in form or appearance
• 変わり目 (kawarime) - turning point, moment of change
• 変わり身 (kawarimi) - change of position or situation
• 変わりやすい (kawari yasui) - subject to rapid changes
• 変わること (kawaru koto) - a ação de mudar
• 変わる理由 (kawaru riyū) - reason for the change
• 変わることができる (kawaru koto ga dekiru) - ser capaz de mudar
• 変わることができない (kawaru koto ga dekinai) - inability to change
• 変わることがある (kawaru koto ga aru) - there are moments when it changes
• 変わることがない (kawaru koto ga nai) - there are no changes
• 変わることが多い (kawaru koto ga ōi) - mudanças ocorrem frequentemente
• 変わることが少ない (kawaru koto ga sukunai) - changes occur rarely
• 変わることが好き (kawaru koto ga suki) - like to change