切り替える・切り換える|きりかえるkirikaeru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
切り替える切り替える is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it as your default when writing this word.
切り換える切り換える is a less common written variant of 切り替える. You may encounter it in writing, but beginners should generally choose 切り替える.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto change; to switch; to change over (to); to renew
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 切り替える（きりかえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 切り替えます（きりかえます） |
| Negative (nai) | 切り替えない（きりかえない） |
| polite (masen) | 切り替えません（きりかえません） |
| classical zu / nu | 切り替えず・切り替えぬ（きりかえず・きりかえぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 切り替えた（きりかえた） |
| polite (mashita) | 切り替えました（きりかえました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 切り替えなかった（きりかえなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 切り替えませんでした（きりかえませんでした） |
| Te form | 切り替えて（きりかえて） |
| Potential | 切り替えられる（きりかえられる） |
| Passive | 切り替えられる（きりかえられる） |
| Causative | 切り替えさせる（きりかえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 切り替えさせられる（きりかえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 切り替えれば（きりかえれば） |
| tara | 切り替えたら（きりかえたら） |
| Volitional | 切り替えよう（きりかえよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 切り替えましょう（きりかえましょう） |
| Imperative | 切り替えろ（きりかえろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
画面を切り替える
切り替わる emphasizes that a switch or change occurs on its own (e.g., a screen changes), while 切り替える focuses on the act of someone or something causing that change.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymスイッチNeutralLoanword for a switch or for switching, as in 「スイッチを入れる」; centers on the button device, while 「切り替える」 centers on changing a state.
- SynonymチェンジNeutralLoanword for changing or replacing something, as in 「イメージチェンジ」; common in speech, while 「切り替える」 is about switching modes.
- Synonym振り替えるふりかえるNeutralFor transferring money or moving a date to another day, as in 「休日を振り替える」; about redirecting payments or schedules, not switching states.
- Related取り替えるとりかえるNeutralFor replacing one thing with another or exchanging, as in 「電池を取り替える」; centers on physical objects, unlike the state-switching of 「切り替える」.
- Related入れ替えるいれかえるNeutralFor swapping positions or replacing contents, as in 「空気を入れ替える」; centers on interchanging what is inside or in place, unlike 「切り替える」.
- Related替えるかえるNeutralBroad verb for replacing or substituting, as in 「選手を替える」; its range is wider than 「切り替える」 and not limited to switching between states.
- Related引き換えるひきかえるNeutralFor exchanging or redeeming one thing against another, as in 「景品と引き換える」; also means to stand in contrast to something, unlike 「切り替える」.
- Related交換こうかんNeutralNoun for exchanging things between two parties, as in 「情報交換」; centers on mutual giving, while 「切り替える」 is a verb for switching over.
- Related転換てんかんWrittenNoun for a change of policy or direction, as in 「方針転換」; a written, formal-prose word that does not substitute for the verb 「切り替える」.
- Related置き換えるおきかえるNeutralFor putting something in place of another or moving it elsewhere, as in 「言葉を置き換える」; about replacement and position, not switching a state.
- Related変換へんかんNeutralNoun for converting one form into another, as in 「漢字変換」; leans technical, so it does not cover switching your mood or channel like 「切り替える」.
- Related変えるかえるNeutralThe broadest verb for changing or altering something; a change made with it is not necessarily a switch between two set states like 「切り替える」.
- Related入れ替えいれかえNeutralNoun form for replacement or rotation, as in 「メンバーの入れ替え」; names the act of swapping members or contents rather than switching a state.
- RelatedシフトNeutralLoanword for work shifts, or a shift or move, as in 「シフト勤務」; its most typical use is shift scheduling, whereas 「切り替える」 centers on switching one state for another.
- RelatedスワップNeutralLoanword for financial swaps or data/memory exchange; a specialist term in finance and computing, not a general verb like 「切り替える」.
- Related切り替わるきりかわるNeutralIntransitive counterpart of 「切り替える」: the state changes over, as in 「画面が切り替わる」, whether on its own or by someone's operation; no direct object.
- Related差し替えるさしかえるNeutralFor replacing something with a new version, as in 「原稿を差し替える」; typical with manuscripts or parts, swapping one item in for another.
- Relatedすり替えるすりかえるNeutralFor swapping something secretly or dodging by changing the subject; carries an underhanded, dishonest nuance absent from 「切り替える」.
- Related取り替えっことりかえっこCasualColloquial noun for two people trading the things they hold; has a playful, childlike feel but is also used among adults. 「切り替える」 has no mutual-exchange sense.
- Related付け替えるつけかえるNeutralFor fitting a new part in place of an old one, or moving a charge to another account; about attaching and reattaching, not switching states.
- Relatedすげ替えるすげかえるNeutralFor replacing parts or swapping personnel, as in 「首をすげ替える」; about physical replacement or staff changes, not switching modes or moods.
Use 「切り替える」 to switch modes, channels or your mood, as in 「気持ちを切り替える」. For replacing physical objects pick 「取り替える」, for swapping positions or contents 「入れ替える」, for a change of policy 「転換」, for sneaky substitution 「すり替える」, and for the switch itself 「スイッチ」. Loanwords 「チェンジ」, 「シフト」 and 「スワップ」 cover general change, work shifts and technical swaps; 「変換」 is technical conversion and 「交換」 mutual exchange. 「変える」 is the broadest change verb, and 「切り替わる」 is the intransitive partner of 「切り替える」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
