Translation guide
Expressing transformation or conversion from one state or form to another.
To become something different, often physically or in nature.
The most common and neutral way to say 'change into N'. Used for both concrete and abstract transformations.
Water changes into ice.
彼は医者になった。
He became a doctor.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to change' or 'to be transformed'. Often used with に to indicate the result.
The traffic light changed to green.
A formal suffix-like verb meaning 'to change into', often used in technical or literary contexts.
Water vapor condenses into droplets.
To actively cause something to change into another form.
Transitive pattern meaning 'to make something into N'. Used when someone causes the change.
He changed the room into a study.
Transitive verb meaning 'to change' or 'to transform'. Often used with に to indicate the result.
To put on different clothes.
To exchange or convert one thing into another, especially currency or units.
になる is intransitive (something becomes), while にする is transitive (someone makes something become).
The room became clean.
I made the room clean.
Avoid directly translating 'change into' as に変わる/変える in all contexts. For clothes, use 着替える; for money, use 両替する.
She changed her hairstyle into a short cut.