Meaning

Primary

To Transform Oneself

Alternative

To Be Transformed

Word Type

intransitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means change so you'd think the verb version is "to change" but it's a little different. This word means to transform oneself or to be transformed, which is a lot like "to change" but this is more like when a person transforms themself into something else, like a dinosaur.

Reading

ばける
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You try to transform. You want to turn into something awesome, like a dinosaur, but then *poof* you turn into a sheep. "Baaaa," you say. "Baaa."

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 女に化ける

    to transform oneself into a woman

    人に化ける

    transform oneself into someone else

    人間に化ける

    to transform oneself into a human

Context Sentences

女も男もメイクで化けることが出来る。

Both women and men can be transformed with makeup.

タヌキは人間に化けるのが上手です。

Raccoons are good at transforming themselves into human beings.

中古のポルシェがに三年後、一千万円に化けたって本当ですか?

Is it true that a used Porsche turned into ten million yen three years later?

私の家は一年間のリノベーションで国宝レベルの家に化けた。

My house was transformed into a national treasure-level house within a year of renovation.

Kanji Composition