改める · ichidan verb
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 改める | 改めない |
| Polite | 改めます | 改めません |
| Past polite | 改めました | 改めませんでした |
| Past | 改めた | 改めなかった |
| Te-form | 改めて | 改めないで |
| Desire | 改めたい | 改めたくない |
| Potential | 改められるalso 改めれる | 改められないalso 改めれない |
| Passive | 改められる | 改められない |
| Causative | 改めさせる | 改めさせない |
| Causative passive | 改めさせられる | 改めさせられない |
| Volitional | 改めよう | |
| Polite volitional | 改めましょう | |
| Imperative | 改めろ | 改めるな |
| Conditional | 改めれば | 改めなければ |
| Tara conditional | 改めたら | 改めなかったら |
ichidan verb, transitive verb
change; alter; revise; replace
Broadly used for changing something into a new state, revising plans, or replacing old with new. Often implies a deliberate, formal, or thorough change.
会社は経営方針を改めることにした。
The company decided to revise its management policy.
古いシステムを新しいものに改める。
Replace the old system with a new one.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
reform; correct; mend; improve
Used for improving behavior, habits, or systems; often implies fixing something wrong or making a moral correction.
彼は自分の態度を改めるべきだ。
He should correct his attitude.
悪い習慣を改めるのは難しい。
It's hard to break a bad habit.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Formal or official inspection, such as checking documents, tickets, or luggage. The kanji 検める is specifically associated with this sense.
駅員が切符を改めている。
The station staff are checking tickets.
税関で荷物を改められた。
My luggage was inspected at customs.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
do properly; do formally
Used in set phrases like 改めて (anew, formally) or when an action is done again in a more proper or formal manner. Often appears as 改めて～する.
後日改めてご連絡いたします。
I will contact you again formally at a later date.
改めてお礼を申し上げます。
I would like to express my gratitude once again properly.
The company decided to revise its old rules.
He corrected his attitude after being warned by the teacher.
I will contact you again formally at a later date.
I made myself presentable before the ceremony.
正す emphasizes correcting something to be right or proper, while 改める covers a broader range of deliberate changes including reform.
調べる is a general, everyday verb for investigating or looking something up, while 改める (sense 3) is formal and used for official inspections like tickets or documents.
訂正する specifically means to correct an error in text or a statement, while 改める is broader and can apply to plans, behavior, or systems.
改める is the general word for correcting or reforming something, while 修める in this sense is limited to the set phrase 過ちを修める for making amends for one's own fault.
改める is a more general term for revising or correcting, while 立て直す specifically suggests a thorough rebuilding from a failing state.
former; previous; changed · examination; inspection; investigation
rewrite; adapt (a written work)
correct oneself; take back one's words; retract
Search-only kanji form; rarely used.