改める|あらためるaratameru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto change; to alter; to revise; to replace
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto reform; to correct; to mend; to improve
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto examine; to check; to inspectocc. 検める
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto do properly; to do formally
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 改める（あらためる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 改めます（あらためます） |
| Negative (nai) | 改めない（あらためない） |
| polite (masen) | 改めません（あらためません） |
| classical zu / nu | 改めず・改めぬ（あらためず・あらためぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 改めた（あらためた） |
| polite (mashita) | 改めました（あらためました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 改めなかった（あらためなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 改めませんでした（あらためませんでした） |
| Te form | 改めて（あらためて） |
| Potential | 改められる（あらためられる） |
| Passive | 改められる（あらためられる） |
| Causative | 改めさせる（あらためさせる） |
| Causative passive | 改めさせられる（あらためさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 改めれば（あらためれば） |
| tara | 改めたら（あらためたら） |
| Volitional | 改めよう（あらためよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 改めましょう（あらためましょう） |
| Imperative | 改めろ（あらためろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
態度を改める
改まる focuses on the event or resulting state, while 改める foregrounds the agent acting on something. Thus, 態度が改まる centers on the changed state, whereas 態度を改める centers on changing 態度.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym変えるかえるNeutralExtremely common in speech for changing anything, good or bad; 「改める」 leans toward fixing what's bad and sounds more solemn.
- Synonym修正しゅうせいNeutralCorrects errors or deviations, as in 「計画を修正する」; leans toward partial adjustment, while 「改める」 can cover an overall change.
- Synonym訂正ていせいNeutralFixes mistakes in writing or speech, as in 「誤字を訂正する」; typically applies to statements and records.
- Synonym改定かいていWrittenWritten/formal prose. Revises established rules, prices, etc., as in 「料金改定」; leans toward systems and figures.
- Synonym改変かいへんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Alters original content, as in 「原作を改変する」, sometimes implying unauthorized changes; not necessarily for the better.
- Synonym変更へんこうNeutralChanges plans or settings, as in 「予定を変更する」; neutral, with no sense of improvement.
- Synonym改訂かいていWrittenWritten/formal prose. Revises the content of books and texts, as in 「改訂版」; mainly for publications.
- Synonym改正かいせいNeutralAmends flaws in laws and regulations, as in 「法改正」; mostly for legislation and rules.
- SynonymかいぜんNeutralImproves a situation, as in 「生活を改善する」; leans toward turning bad conditions good.
- Synonym手直してなおしNeutralSmall fixes to something nearly finished, as in 「原稿の手直し」; leans toward minor local adjustments.
- Synonym正すただすWrittenWritten/formal prose. Corrects errors or straightens posture, as in 「姿勢を正す」「誤りを正す」; leans toward setting things right.
- Related直すなおすNeutralEveryday word for fixing or correcting, as in 「間違いを直す」; more casual than 「改める」, and can also mean repairing things.
- Related改良かいりょうNeutralImproves quality or breeds, as in 「品種改良」; leans toward technical and product improvements.
- Related刷新さっしんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Sweeps away the old for a thorough renewal, as in 「人事を刷新する」; leans toward organizations and practices.
- Related矯正きょうせいNeutralStraightens out distortions or defects, as in 「歯列矯正」; mostly for the body, habits, and behavior.
- Related補正ほせいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Makes up shortfalls and corrects errors, as in 「補正予算」; leans toward figures and plan adjustments.
- Related改新かいしんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Reforms institutions to renew them, as in 「大化の改新」; mostly historical.
- Related更改こうかいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Renews or revises contracts, as in 「契約更改」; mostly legal and contractual.
- Related一新いっしんNeutralGives a complete fresh start, as in 「気分を一新する」; leans toward renewing the whole, and can be used intransitively.
- Related変革へんかくWrittenWritten/formal prose. Transforms society or institutions from the ground up, as in 「社会変革」; large in scale.
- Related改編かいへんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Rearranges organizations or works anew, as in 「番組改編」; about restructuring, not making things better.
- Related改造かいぞうNeutralRemodels machines, buildings, or organizations, as in 「家を改造する」; leans toward major structural changes.
- Related変わるかわるNeutralIntransitive: something changes on its own; 「改める」 is transitive, with someone actively changing it.
- Related手を加えるてをくわえるNeutralAdds touches or revisions to something existing, as in 「原稿に手を加える」; not necessarily correcting errors.
- Related改版かいはんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Redoes a publication with revisions, also the new edition that results; for printed publications.
Use 「改める」 for changing something old or bad for the better, or solemnly redoing it, as in 「態度を改める」「日を改める」. For general change say 「変える」; for fixing mistakes 「直す」 or 「訂正」; for laws and rules 「改正」. Among nouns, 「変更」 is a neutral change of plans, 「修正」 a partial fix, 「改善」 an improvement, 「改造」 a structural remodel, 「刷新」/「変革」 sweeping reform, 「改訂」/「改版」 revisions of publications; the written 「改定」「改変」「改編」「補正」「改新」「更改」 each have their own niche.
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
