改造|かいぞうkaizou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbremodeling; remodelling; reconstruction; conversion; alteration; renovation; modification; reshuffling (e.g. a cabinet); reorganization; restructuring
    地下室ちかしつを仕事場しごとばに改造かいぞうした。↗
    The basement has been made over into a workshop.
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, computingmodding
Conjugation
Dictionary form改造する(かいぞうする)
Polite (masu)改造します(かいぞうします)
Negative (nai)改造しない(かいぞうしない)
polite (masen)改造しません(かいぞうしません)
classical zu / nu改造せず・改造せぬ(かいぞうせず・かいぞうせぬ)
Past (ta)改造した(かいぞうした)
polite (mashita)改造しました(かいぞうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)改造しなかった(かいぞうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)改造しませんでした(かいぞうしませんでした)
Te form改造して(かいぞうして)
Potential改造できる(かいぞうできる)
Passive改造される(かいぞうされる)
Causative改造させる(かいぞうさせる)
Causative passive改造させられる(かいぞうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)改造すれば(かいぞうすれば)
tara改造したら(かいぞうしたら)
Volitional改造しよう(かいぞうしよう)
polite (mashou)改造しましょう(かいぞうしましょう)
Imperative改造しろ(かいぞうしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym変革へんかくWrittenWritten/formal: fundamental change of institutions or society; 改造 applies to machines, buildings, organizations, and also ideas or physical constitution.
  • Synonym刷新さっしんWrittenWritten/formal: sweeping away flaws for a fresh start, as in 「人事の刷新」; 改造 leans toward structural modification.
  • Synonym改築かいちくWrittenWritten/formal: rebuilding or renovating buildings specifically; 改造 is broader, also covering machines and organizations, as in 「内閣改造」.
  • Synonym改変かいへんWrittenWritten/formal: altering content so it differs from the original, mostly for texts, data, and genes; 改造 centers on structural changes.
  • Synonym模様替えもようがえNeutralChanging a room's arrangement or decor, and figuratively a change of methods or systems; 改造 focuses on the object's own structure or nature.
  • SynonymリコンストラクションWrittenRare written/formal loanword for restoring something damaged to its original state; in daily speech use 「再建」 or 「再構築」.
  • Synonym再構築さいこうちくWrittenRebuilding a system or framework anew, as in 「システムの再構築」; 改造 modifies the structure of something that already exists.
  • Related修正しゅうせいNeutralFixes errors or corrects deviations, as in 「誤字を修正する」; 改造 involves major work on the object itself, changing its structure or nature.
  • Related変更へんこうNeutralA broad word for changing plans, settings, and the like; 改造 rebuilds machines, buildings, organizations, even minds or bodies into something different.
  • Related改めるあらためるNeutralVerb for correcting or changing, as in 「規則を改める」; its objects are mostly rules and attitudes, while 改造 alters structure or nature.
  • Related手直してなおしNeutralTouching up imperfect spots in something nearly finished, focused on fixing flaws; 改造 reworks the structure to change function or form.
  • Related変えるかえるNeutralEveryday verb for changing something, with no limit on what it applies to; 改造 means reworking the structure itself.
  • Related切り替えるきりかえるNeutralSwitching or converting from one thing to another, as in 「頭を切り替える」; 改造 means altering the structure.
  • Related立て直したてなおしNeutralGetting a failing business or situation back into good shape; 改造 emphasizes changes to structure.
  • Antonym現状維持げんじょういじNeutralKeeping things as they are, the opposite of 改造 in whether you modify at all, as in 「現状維持で様子を見る」.
  • Antonym原型保持WrittenWritten/formal: keeping the original basic form, opposed to 改造 that changes the form; the original can be kept while parts are remodeled.

Use 「改造」 for reworking the structure of machines, buildings, organizations, even minds or bodies. For fixing errors pick 「修正」, for changing plans 「変更」, for fundamental reform of institutions 「変革」, for building work 「改築」, and for touching up flaws 「手直し」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 機械きかい・建物たてもの・組織そしきなどを作り変つくりかえること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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

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