改まる・革まる|あらたまるaratamaru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
改まる改まる(あらたまる) is the more common written form and the one beginners should normally use when writing this word.
革まる革まる(あらたまる) is a less common written variant; learners will generally encounter 改まる(あらたまる) more often and should prefer it.
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto be renewed; to change
  2. godan verb, intransitive verbto be improved; to be reformed; to be revised; to be corrected
    Old habits die hard.
  3. godan verb, intransitive verbto stand on ceremony; to be formal
  4. godan verb, intransitive verbto take a turn for the worse (of an illness); to take a serious turnesp. 革まる
Conjugation
Dictionary form改まる(あらたまる)
Polite (masu)改まります(あらたまります)
Negative (nai)改まらない(あらたまらない)
polite (masen)改まりません(あらたまりません)
classical zu / nu改まらず・改まらぬ(あらたまらず・あらたまらぬ)
Past (ta)改まった(あらたまった)
polite (mashita)改まりました(あらたまりました)
Past negative (nakatta)改まらなかった(あらたまらなかった)
polite (masen deshita)改まりませんでした(あらたまりませんでした)
Te form改まって(あらたまって)
Potential改まれる(あらたまれる)
Passive改まられる(あらたまられる)
Causative改まらせる(あらたまらせる)
Causative passive改まらせられる・改まらされる(あらたまらせられる・あらたまらされる)
Conditional (ba)改まれば(あらたまれば)
tara改まったら(あらたまったら)
Volitional改まろう(あらたまろう)
polite (mashou)改まりましょう(あらたまりましょう)
Imperative改まれ(あらたまれ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
intransitive改まるあらたまる⇄transitive改めるあらためる
態度たいどが改あらたまる
改まる (intransitive) describes a change occurring in the subject itself, while 改める (transitive) focuses on the agent's deliberate action to correct or improve something.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Related改めるあらためるNeutralTransitive verb for actively changing or correcting something, as in 「規則を改める」— the transitive counterpart of 「改まる」, which also covers formal, ceremonious behavior.
  • Antonym崩れるくずれるNeutralMeans an existing form or state falling apart or deteriorating, as in 「天気が崩れる」— the opposite of 「改まる」's sense of renewal and improvement.
  • AntonymくだけたNeutralDescribes an easygoing, informal manner, as in 「砕けた口調」— the opposite of 「改まった」, which suggests formality and ceremony.

Use 「改まる」 when something is renewed or improved, or when an occasion turns formal, as in 「年が改まる」 and 「改まった席」. To actively change or correct something, use the transitive 「改める」. For a casual, informal setting, say 「砕けた」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 新あたらしくなる。
  2. 悪わるい点てんが変かわって良よくなる。
  3. 格式かくしき張はった態度たいどになる。
  4. 【革あらたまる】病状びょうじょうが悪化あっかする。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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