How to say "modification" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 変更へんこうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe most general word for modifying something, covering changes, alterations and revisions of plans, settings, schedules or documents. When 'modification' is neutral and unspecified, this is usually the word you want.
- 改変かいへんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers modification in the sense of altering the content or substance of something, such as text, data, genes or rules, often implying a substantive change from the original rather than a minor tweak.
- 修正しゅうせいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbModification as correction or amendment: fixing errors, revising drafts or adjusting figures. Use it when the change is meant to put something right rather than simply to alter it.
- 改造かいぞうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbFor physical objects, this covers modification as remodeling or conversion, such as rebuilding a car, machine or building. It is not a good general equivalent of 'modification' for plans or text.
- 変形へんけいsuru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThis covers modification only in the sense of physical transformation or change of shape, like a deformed or metamorphosing object. For most senses of 'modification' it is not the word you want.
For 'modification', 変更 is the general default, 修正 implies correcting errors, 改変 altering content or data, 改造 is remodeling physical things, and 変形 is physical shape transformation.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 変更へんこうchange
- 改変かいへんchange
- 修正しゅうせいamendment
- 改造かいぞうremodeling
- 変形へんけいtransformation
- 形容けいようdescription
- 手直してなおしadjustment
- モディフィケーションmodification
- 修正法しゅうせいほうrectification
- 変わりようかわりようchange
- 後加工あとかこうpost-processing (a (partially) finished product)
- 換骨奪胎かんこつだったいadaptation (of a poem, novel, etc.)
- 修飾しゅうしょくmodification
- 変態へんたいtransformation
See also
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