To Change Something
To Change
transitive verb, ichidan verb
The kanji is change, and this verb is to change something. If you change one thing for another thing, you are going to change it, after all. This word refers to changing one thing for a similar thing.
変える and 代える sound the same and are sometimes used in similar contexts, but are different in nuance. 変える refers to the act of making something different, and involves altering the nature or state of something. For example, changing the layout of a room or changing one's perspective on an issue. 代える means to substitute or exchange one thing for another that is expected to fulfill the same role, use or purpose, such as replacing a worker with a substitute.
This word uses the kun'yomi, which you didn't learn with the kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you out.
I don't like this car. I would like to change it for another car (か).
自分を変える
to change oneself
すがたを変える
to change one's appearance, to change the appearance of something
形を変える
to change the shape of something
勝手に変える
to change something without permission
自由に変える
to change something freely
エネルギーに変える
to convert something into energy
少し変える
to change something a little
ちょっと変える
to change something a bit
色々変える
to change a number of things
大人になると、考え方を変えることはむずかしいです。
When you become an adult, it's difficult to change your way of thinking.
彼女は部屋のインテリアを変えて、気分を変えました。
She changed the interior of the room to change her mood.
あっ、トーフグのくちびるの形は変えないでください。それはコウイチの好物のタラコをモチーフにしているんです。
Oh, please do not change the shape of Tofugu's lips. They were inspired by Koichi's favorite food, cod roe.