How to say "alteration" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 変化へんかnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers alteration as change or variation — a shift in state, condition or appearance that something undergoes — rather than a deliberate edit; think of changes in temperature, health or circumstances.
- 変更へんこうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe word for deliberately altering something — modifying plans, schedules, settings or documents. When 'alteration' means a change you make to something, this is the word you want.
- 改正かいせいsuru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers alteration as amendment: revising laws, rules or regulations. If 'alteration' does not mean an official amendment of this kind, another word is needed.
- 改ざんかいざんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbAlteration in the bad sense: falsifying or tampering with records, data or documents. If the change is dishonest or unauthorized, this is the word; a neutral alteration is not 改ざん.
- 変わりかわりnounA broad noun for change, but as a rendering of 'alteration' it is marginal: in most contexts 変化 or 変更 is the word you actually want.
Use 変化 for change or variation that occurs, 変更 for deliberate changes to plans or documents, 改正 for amending laws or rules, 「改ざん」 for falsification, and 「変わり」 hardly at all.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 変化へんかchange
- 変更へんこうchange
- 改正かいせいrevision
- 改ざんかいざんalteration
- 変わりかわりchange
- 改定かいていrevision (of a rule, price, etc.)
- 替えかえchange
- 改変かいへんchange
- 改訂かいていrevision (of text)
- 変質へんしつalteration (of character or essence)
- 変造へんぞうalteration
- 変移へんいchange
- 修正しゅうせいamendment
- 改造かいぞうremodeling
- リフォームrenovation (e.g. a house)
- 仕立て直ししたてなおしalteration (esp. of suits and kimonos)
- 変わりようかわりようchange
- 変易へんえきchange
- 雌黄しおうfalsification
- がんmarking (on a card or tile for the purpose of cheating)
See also
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