Explore 改 in words for changing plans, improving work and reforming systems. Learn the reading with each complete word.

The idea

改 has 7 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 改める is read あらためる, while 改善, 改革 and 改正 begin with かい. 改める takes an object; 改まる describes something changing.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
改めるあらためるI revised the plan.
改善かいぜんThe company improved the way people work.
改革かいかくThe government is advancing reform of the system.
改正かいせいI listened to an explanation about the amendment of the law.

Examples

  • 私わたしは計画けいかくを改あらためました。I revised the plan.
  • 新あたらしい規則きそくは来月らいげつから改あらたまります。The new rules will change from next month.
  • 会社かいしゃは働はたらき方かたを改善かいぜんしました。The company improved the way people work.
  • 政府せいふは制度せいどの改革かいかくを進すすめています。The government is advancing reform of the system.
  • 会議かいぎの日程にっていを改あらためて知しらせます。I will let you know the meeting schedule again.
  • 法律ほうりつの改正かいせいについて説明せつめいを聞ききました。I listened to an explanation about the amendment of the law.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

改善 means improvement, whereas 改革 suggests reform of a system. 改めて can mean “again” or “anew”; choose the sense from context.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 改める in hiragana.

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    あらためる

    改める is あらためる: it means to revise or change something, as in revising a plan.

  2. Write the reading of 改善 in hiragana.

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    かいぜん

    改善 is かいぜん: it means improvement, such as improving working methods.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿革（かいかく）［改／故］.

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    改

    改 completes 改革（かいかく）, reform; the sentence describes reforming a system.

Use it today

Write 改 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 改める and 改善, then make a sentence about a change.