Translation guide
The English word "modification" covers a range of changes, adjustments, and alterations. In Japanese, the best translation depends on what is being modified and the nature of the change. This guide organizes the main practical meanings for learners.
To express making a change to something, often to improve it or adapt it.
The most common and versatile word for 'change' or 'modification'. Used for plans, schedules, settings, rules, etc.
I modified the schedule.
You need to modify the settings.
Implies correcting or fixing something, often used for errors, documents, or plans.
Please correct the typos.
Modify the plan (to fix issues).
Often used for altering or modifying something in a significant way, sometimes with a negative connotation of tampering. Common in legal or technical contexts.
Modification of data is prohibited.
To express making small changes to improve function or fit.
To express modifying something to suit specific needs or preferences.
To express how a word or phrase is modified by another element in a sentence.
The standard grammatical term for 'modification'. A noun is modified by an adjective, etc.
An adjective modifies a noun.
変更 (henkou) is a general change. 修正 (shuusei) implies correction of an error. 調整 (chousei) is adjustment or fine-tuning. Use 変更 for most neutral 'modifications', 修正 when fixing something wrong, and 調整 when calibrating or balancing.
The English word 'modification' is often translated directly as 変更, but in many contexts a more specific verb like 直す (naosu, to fix) or 変える (kaeru, to change) is more natural. Consider what you are actually doing.
We made some modifications to the design.
修正 is used because it implies correcting or improving the design.
Make minor modifications to the schedule.
デザインに少し手直しを加える。
Make a few modifications to the design.
車を改造する。
Modify a car.