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.
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.
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.
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.
I'll think it over again (and may change my 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.
I changed my mind, I won't do it.
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.
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.
After receiving your feedback, I changed my mind/opinion.
Literally 'change policy/direction'. Used when changing a plan or strategy, often in business.
The company changed its policy/mind.
Describing someone who changes their mind often or is fickle.
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.
I suddenly changed my mind (without deep thought).
After thinking it over carefully, I changed my mind and decided to stop.
I was going to buy it, but I changed my mind.
She changed her mind at the last minute.
I changed my mind and decided to stay home.
He reconsidered resigning (and changed his mind).
He was angry, but he reconsidered and apologized.
Indecisiveness; inability to make up one's mind. A noun or na-adjective.
I'm indecisive and can't make up my mind.