Translation guide
How to express changing your mind in Japanese, from casual to formal, including common phrases and warnings about literal translations.
Expressing that you have changed your mind about a decision, plan, or opinion.
The most common and natural way to say 'change one's mind'. Literally 'one's mind/feeling changes'. Used for personal decisions and opinions.
やっぱり気が変わった。
I changed my mind after all.
He suddenly changed his mind.
Literally 'one's thinking changes'. Slightly more focused on a change in thought or opinion rather than a feeling.
話を聞いて考えが変わった。
After hearing the story, I changed my mind.
A more literary or dramatic way to say 'change one's mind', often implying a change of heart or fickleness. Can be used in romantic contexts.
彼女の心変わりに驚いた。
I was surprised by her change of heart.
Emphasizing that you thought about it again and decided differently.
Literally 'rethink'. Implies reconsidering and often changing your mind. Can be used when you decide not to do something after all.
もう一度考え直します。
I'll think it over again (and may change my mind).
彼は辞職を考え直した。
He reconsidered resigning (and changed his mind).
Similar to 考え直す but with a nuance of 'rethink one's feelings/intentions'. Slightly more emotional.
Informal ways to say you've changed your mind, often used in conversation.
A very common casual phrase meaning 'I'll stop after all' or 'I changed my mind and won't do it'. やっぱり indicates a return to a previous thought.
やっぱりやめるわ。
I changed my mind, I won't do it.
行くって言ったけど、やっぱりやめる。
I said I'd go, but I changed my mind.
Pattern for 'I changed my mind and decided to ~'. Insert verb before ことにする.
やっぱり行くことにした。
I changed my mind and decided to go.
Polite or business-appropriate expressions for changing a decision.
Formal expression meaning 'to change one's thinking/opinion'. Suitable for business or official contexts.
ご指摘を受けて、考えを改めました。
After receiving your feedback, I changed my mind/opinion.
Literally 'change policy/direction'. Used when changing a plan or strategy, often in business.
会社は方針を変えた。
The company changed its policy/mind.
Describing someone who changes their mind often or is fickle.
A person who is moody or changes their mind easily. Often used negatively.
彼は気分屋だから、また気が変わるかも。
He's moody, so he might change his mind again.
Do not directly translate 'change one's mind' as 心を変える or マインドを変える. These sound unnatural. Use 気が変わる or 考え直す instead.
気が変わる is a spontaneous change of feeling, while 考え直す implies active reconsideration. Use 気が変わる for sudden changes, and 考え直す when you've thought it over.
急に気が変わった。
I suddenly changed my mind (without deep thought).
よく考え直して、やめることにした。
After thinking it over carefully, I changed my mind and decided to stop.
買うつもりだったけど、気が変わった。
I was going to buy it, but I changed my mind.
彼女は土壇場で気が変わった。
She changed her mind at the last minute.
気が変わって、家にいることにした。
I changed my mind and decided to stay home.
彼は怒っていたが、思い直して謝った。
He was angry, but he reconsidered and apologized.
Indecisiveness; inability to make up one's mind. A noun or na-adjective.
優柔不断でなかなか決められない。
I'm indecisive and can't make up my mind.