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-   -   換える vs. 変える (https://www.japanforum.com/forum/japanese-language-help/35166-%E6%8F%9B%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B-vs-%E5%A4%89%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B.html)

Maxful 12-12-2010 04:32 PM

換える vs. 変える
 
Hi masaegu san, I would like to know what's the difference between 換える (Exchange, Change) and 変える(Change)? :)

masaegu 12-13-2010 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxful (Post 841374)
Hi masaegu san, I would like to know what's the difference between 換える (Exchange, Change) and 変える(Change)? :)

Don't you have a good dictionary?

変える = to change, to alter, to turn, to modify, to reform, etc.

換える = to exchange, to replace, to substitute, to take the place of, etc.

halfthishalfthat 12-13-2010 05:31 AM

To elabourate:

変 - character signifies change, going through a change... simply the change. something was one thing, now it is different.

Perhaps you would say something like...
人生を変える - change life (as in "make a change to human life")

換 - character signifies change from current to something else, exchanging one thing for another, something in place of another.

Perhaps you would say something like...
電車を乗り換える - change trains (as in "ride a different train instead of the current one")

KyleGoetz 12-13-2010 06:23 PM

Well put by the natives. To put it simply, I think you might be able to easily differentiate them if you think of 変 as "morph" and 換 as "swap."

Maxful 12-14-2010 12:06 AM

I think I get it now. For example, if I am talking about changing password, I use 変える. But if I am talking about changing a light bulb, I use 換える. Am I right? :)

masaegu 12-14-2010 01:12 AM

That is correct.

Maxful 12-14-2010 01:46 AM

Thanks for the help, guys. :)

Maxful 12-14-2010 02:43 AM

By the way, for "おしめを取り換える", is it possible to say "おしめを換える" instead?

masaegu 12-14-2010 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxful (Post 841619)
By the way, for "おしめを取り換える", is it possible to say "おしめを換える" instead?

It's more than just possible.

Maxful 12-14-2010 06:06 AM

Thank you, masaegu san. :)


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