Japanese symbol for “transform”
変える
かえる
Romaji: kaeru
to change; to alter; to transform; to convert
In Japanese, transform is 変える, read かえる (kaeru).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v1, vt to change; to alter; to transform; to convert; to turn; to vary
- v1, vt to reform; to revise; to amend
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “transform”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 化す | かす kasu | to change (into); to turn (into); to transform (into) |
| 成る | なる naru | to change (into); to turn (into); to transform |
| 化ける | ばける bakeru | to change (into); to transform; to metamorphose |
| 化する | かする kasuru | to change (into); to turn (into); to transform (into) |
| 変じる | へんじる henjiru | to change into; to be transformed; to be transfigured |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 大変 | たいへん taihen | very; greatly; terribly |
| 変更 | へんこう henkou | change; modification; alteration |
| 変化 | へんか henka | change; variation; alteration |
| 変わる | かわる kawaru | to change; to be transformed; to be altered |
| 変動 | へんどう hendou | change; fluctuation |
| 変身 | へんしん henshin | metamorphosis; disguise; transformation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “transform”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.