Kigaeru is the Japanese verb for ‘to change clothes’, explained

What does “kigaeru” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “kigaeru” to mean ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “kigaeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meaning of “kigaeru”
  • Example #1: how to say “change clothes” in Japanese
• Kigaenai: the nai form of “kigaeru”
  • Example #2: how to say “not change clothes” in Japanese
• Kigaeyou: the volitional form of “kigaeru”
  • Example #3: how to say “let’s change clothes” in Japanese
• Kigaemasu: the masu form of “kigaeru”
  • Example #4: how to say “change clothes” in Japanese
• Kigaeta: the ta form of “kigaeru”
  • Example #5: how to say “changed clothes” in Japanese
• Kigaete: the te form of “kigaeru”
  • Example #6: how to say “please change clothes” in Japanese
• Kigaereba: the ba form of “kigaeru”
  • Example #7: how to say “if change clothes” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meaning of “kigaeru”

Let me start with the definition and meaning of “kigaeru”.

• kigaeru – 着替える (きがえる) : a verb meaning ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese.

The definition and meaning are simple and clear. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “change clothes” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• seito – 生徒 (せいと) : a noun meaning ‘student’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “seito” to make the subject in the sentence.
• koko – ここ : a pronoun used to refer to a place close to the speaker.
• de – で : a case particle used to say where someone does something. In the example, this is used after “koko” to say “here” in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “kigaeru”. When we want to mean ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese, this verb is a very good option.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “kigaeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “kigaenai”.

Kigaenai: the nai form of “kigaeru”

Below are the definition and meaning of “kigaenai”.

• kigaenai – 着替えない (きがえない) : the nai form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘not to change clothes’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “kigaenai” consists of the following two parts:

• kigae – 着替え (きがえ) : one conjugation of “kigaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
• nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.

From these two parts, we can understand that “kigaenai” is literally the nai form of “kigaeru” and means ‘not to change clothes’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this nai form through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “not change clothes” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• gakkou – 学校 (がっこう) : a noun meaning ‘school’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. In the example, this works together with “de” to say “at school” in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “kigaenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to change clothes’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.

Kigaeyou: the volitional form of “kigaeru”

Below are the definition and meaning of “kigaeyou”.

• kigaeyou – 着替えよう (きがえよう) : the volitional form of “kigaeru”, which expresses volition to change clothes.

Grammatically, “kigaeyou” consists of the following two parts:

• kigae – 着替え (きがえ) : one conjugation of “kigaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
• you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “kigaeyou” is literally the volitional form of “kigaeru” and expresses volition to change clothes in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #3: how to say “let’s change clothes” in Japanese

Below is the new word used in the example sentence.

• heya – 部屋 (へや) : a noun meaning ‘room’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.

This is a typical usage of “kigaeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s change clothes” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.

Kigaemasu: the masu form of “kigaeru”

Below are the definition and meaning of “kigaemasu”.

• kigaemasu – 着替えます (きがえます) : the masu form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘to change clothes’ politely in Japanese.

Grammatically, “kigaemasu” consists of the following two parts:

• kigae – 着替え (きがえ) : one conjugation of “kigaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “kigaemasu” is literally the masu form of “kigaeru” and means ‘to change clothes’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #4: how to say “change clothes” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kodomo – 子供 (こども) : a noun meaning ‘child’ or ‘kid’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “kodomo” to make its plural form, “kodomo tachi”, which means ‘children’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “kigaemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “change clothes” politely in Japanese, this form is a very good option.

Kigaeta: the ta form of “kigaeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “kigaeta”.

• kigaeta – 着替えた (きがえた) : the ta form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘changed clothes’, ‘have changed clothes’, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “kigaeta” consists of the following two parts:

• kigae – 着替え (きがえ) : one conjugation of “kigaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “kigaeta” is literally the past tense form of “kigaeru” and means ‘changed clothes’, ‘have changed clothes’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #5: how to say “changed clothes” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• kesa – 今朝 (けさ) : a noun meaning ‘this morning’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb in the middle of the sentence to say “this morning” in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “kigaeta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “kigaeru”, this form is the best option.

Kigaete: the te form of “kigaeru”

Below are the definition and meaning of “kigaete”.

• kigaete – 着替えて (きがえて) : the te form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “kigaete” consists of the following two parts:

• kigae – 着替え (きがえ) : one conjugation of “kigaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “kigaete” is literally the te form of “kigaeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “kigaete” is very useful when we want to use “kigaeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #6: how to say “please change clothes” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• mainichi – 毎日 (まいにち) : a noun meaning ‘every day’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence to say “every day” in Japanese.
• kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’ in Japanese. In the example, this works like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’.

This is a typical usage of “kigaete”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “kudasai”. When we want to use “kigaeru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.

Kigaereba: the ba form of “kigaeru”

Lastly, let me explain the definition and meaning of “kigaereba”.

• kigaereba – 着替えれば (きがえれば) : the ba form of “kigaeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “kigaereba” consists of the following two parts:

• kigaere – 着替えれ (きがえれ) : one conjugation of “kigaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
• ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “kigaereba” is literally the ba form of “kigaeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “kigaereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #7: how to say “if change clothes” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kimochi ii – 気持ちいい (きもちいい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘comfortable’ or such in Japanese.
• desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, this is used after “kimochi ii” to make it sound polite.
• yo – よ : a sentence-ending particle used to state the fact or idea in a soft way. As the definition suggests, this is used at the end of the example sentence to state the speaker’s idea softly.

This is a typical usage of “kigaereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “mainichi kigaereba”, which means ‘if you change clothes every day’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese, this ba form is a very good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “kigaeru” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• kigaeru – 着替える (きがえる) : a verb meaning ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese.
• kigaenai – 着替えない (きがえない) : the nai form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘not to change clothes’ in Japanese.
• kigaeyou – 着替えよう (きがえよう) : the volitional form of “kigaeru”, which expresses volition to change clothes.
• kigaemasu – 着替えます (きがえます) : the masu form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘to change clothes’ politely in Japanese.
• kigaeta – 着替えた (きがえた) : the ta form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘changed clothes’, ‘have changed clothes’, or such in Japanese.
• kigaete – 着替えて (きがえて) : the te form of “kigaeru”, which means ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese. When we want to use “kigaeru” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
• kigaereba – 着替えれば (きがえれば) : the ba form of “kigaeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to change clothes’ in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.