Changer is the most common and versatile way to say "to change" in French. But just like in English, there are many other verbs that express different shades and types of change. From a slight alteration to a complete transformation, or a shift in plans to a change of heart, French offers a rich vocabulary to describe these evolutions. Knowing these alternatives will significantly enhance your fluency and precision. Let’s dive into 9 different ways to say "to change" in French, exploring their meanings and when to use them!

The standard 'to change' – changer

The standard 'to change' – changer

In French, changer is the most common and versatile verb for 'to change'.

Changer is a regular -er verb, making its conjugation straightforward. It conjugates like parler, with a slight spelling change in the nous form (changeons) to maintain the soft 'g' sound.

One of the most important things to remember about changer is its frequent use with the preposition de when you are changing from one thing to another, or simply changing a possession or state. This structure is typically changer de + noun.

When you want to express 'to get changed' (referring to clothes), you use the reflexive form: se changer. For example, Je dois me changer avant de sortir (I need to get changed before going out).

You can also use changer directly with an object, meaning 'to alter' or 'to replace'. For instance, changer une ampoule (to change a lightbulb) or changer de l'argent (to change money/currency).

Beyond personal changes, changer is used for practical situations like changer de train (to change trains), changer d'avis (to change one's mind), or even changer les couches du bébé (to change the baby's diapers).

Whether you're talking about a minor alteration or a significant transformation, changer is your go-to verb. Its meaning is usually clear from the context, making it a highly adaptable word in French.

💡 * Il veut changer de travail. (He wants to change jobs.)

• Elle se change rapidement. (She gets changed quickly.)
• Nous avons changé d'avis. (We changed our minds.)
• Pouvez-vous changer ce billet de 50 euros? (Can you change this 50 euro note?)
• Le temps change vite ici. (The weather changes quickly here.)

The 'to modify' or 'to alter' – modifier

The “to modify” or “to alter” – modifier

The verb modifier in French is a straightforward and frequently used verb that translates directly to “to modify” or “to alter” in English. It's essential for discussing changes, adjustments, or revisions.

While similar to changer (to change), modifier often implies a more specific, usually partial or slight, adjustment rather than a complete transformation. Think of it as making an amendment or a fine-tuning.

You'll encounter modifier in various contexts, such as when discussing changes to documents, settings on a device, travel plans, or even an article of clothing. It's about adapting something existing.

As a regular -er verb, modifier follows standard conjugation patterns, making it relatively easy to learn and use. For example, in the present tense, it's je modifie, tu modifies, il/elle modifie, etc.

The corresponding noun is une modification, meaning “a modification” or “an alteration.” This is also widely used in French to refer to any change or amendment made.

Using modifier is particularly appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is being adjusted or refined, rather than completely replaced or fundamentally changed. It conveys precision in the act of altering.

💡 * Il faut modifier le document avant de l'envoyer. (The document needs to be modified before sending it.)

• Pouvez-vous modifier les paramètres de confidentialité ? (Can you modify the privacy settings?)
• Nous avons dû modifier nos plans à cause de la météo. (We had to alter our plans because of the weather.)
• Elle a modifié sa tenue pour la soirée. (She altered her outfit for the evening.)
• Le programme a été modifié. (The schedule has been modified.)

The 'to transform' – transformer

The verb transformer is a fundamental French verb meaning 'to transform', 'to convert', or 'to change'. It is widely used in various contexts to describe a significant alteration of something or someone.

Typically, transformer is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. You 'transform something'. For instance, transformer une pièce (to transform a room).

One of its most common constructions is transformer quelque chose en quelque chose (to transform something into something else). This clearly indicates the initial state and the resulting state after the transformation.

When used reflexively, se transformer, it means 'to transform oneself', 'to change', or 'to become'. This form emphasizes an internal or self-initiated change, or a change that happens to the subject itself.

As a regular -ER verb, transformer follows the standard conjugation patterns for this group, making it relatively straightforward to learn once you know the basic rules for -ER verbs.

From physical changes to conceptual shifts, transformer is a versatile verb. It can describe anything from renovating a house to a personal evolution or a societal change.

💡 * Le magicien a transformé la fleur en colombe. (The magician transformed the flower into a dove.)

• Ils ont transformé l'ancienne usine en lofts modernes. (They transformed the old factory into modern lofts.)
• La chenille se transforme en papillon. (The caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.)
• Avec le temps, le quartier s'est complètement transformé. (Over time, the neighborhood completely changed.)
• Elle a transformé son rêve en réalité. (She transformed her dream into reality.)

The 'to convert' – convertir

Convertir is the French verb meaning "to convert." It is a regular -IR verb, but its usage can be broader than a simple English translation, covering various types of transformations.

It is frequently used when discussing a transformation from one form, state, or belief to another. This includes converting currency, changing religious beliefs, or converting data formats (e.g., converting a file from one type to another).

In sports, convertir is also commonly used to describe successfully scoring points from a specific action. For example, one might "convertir un penalty" (convert a penalty kick) in soccer or "convertir un essai" (convert a try) in rugby.

Convertir conjugates like other regular -IR verbs (e.g., finir, choisir) and typically uses the auxiliary verb avoir in compound tenses (e.g., J'ai converti - I converted).

💡 * Il a converti ses euros en dollars. (He converted his euros into dollars.)

• Elle s'est convertie au bouddhisme. (She converted to Buddhism.)
• L'équipe a réussi à convertir le penalty. (The team managed to convert the penalty.)
• Nous devons convertir ce fichier PDF en Word. (We need to convert this PDF file to Word.)
• Ce programme peut convertir des images en différents formats. (This program can convert images into different formats.)

The 'to evolve' or 'to develop' – évoluer

The French verb évoluer is a highly versatile and commonly used term, meaning 'to evolve,' 'to develop,' or 'to change' in a progressive or transformative way.

While it can often be translated as 'to change,' évoluer specifically implies a process of development, growth, or transformation over time. It suggests a gradual or significant shift rather than an abrupt alteration.

You'll hear évoluer used in many contexts: describing the evolution of ideas or societies, the development of a situation, the growth of a person (e.g., in maturity or skills), or the progression of a career path. It's applicable to both abstract concepts and concrete entities.

Évoluer is a regular -er verb. In compound tenses like the passé composé, it typically uses the auxiliary verb avoir (e.g., j'ai évolué – I have evolved). This makes its conjugation relatively straightforward for learners.

Mastering évoluer will significantly enhance your ability to discuss dynamic processes and transformations in French. Remember its core meaning of progressive change or development to use it accurately.

💡 * Les technologies évoluent rapidement. (Technologies evolve rapidly.)

• Mon opinion a évolué sur cette question. (My opinion has evolved on this matter.)
• Il a beaucoup évolué dans sa carrière. (He has developed a lot in his career.)
• Le projet doit évoluer pour s'adapter aux nouvelles demandes. (The project must evolve to adapt to new demands.)
• Comment la situation va-t-elle évoluer ? (How will the situation evolve?)

The 'to vary' or 'to fluctuate' – varier

The French verb varier directly translates to 'to vary,' 'to fluctuate,' or 'to change.' It is used to describe situations where something is not constant, but rather shows diversity or undergoes shifts over time or across different instances.

Most frequently, varier is used intransitively, meaning the subject itself is doing the varying. For example, 'Les températures varient' means 'Temperatures vary.' This usage emphasizes the natural or inherent change within the subject.

While less common, varier can also be used transitively, meaning 'to vary something' or 'to make something vary.' For instance, 'Il faut varier son alimentation' translates to 'One must vary one's diet,' where the action of varying is applied to an object.

Varier is a regular -ER verb, making its conjugation straightforward. A common related phrasing is faire varier quelque chose, which means 'to make something vary' or 'to cause something to fluctuate,' often implying external influence.

From varier, we derive several useful related words. The noun la variation means 'the variation' or 'the fluctuation,' and the adjective variable means 'variable' or 'changeable.' These terms are essential for discussing diversity and change in French.

💡 * Les prix varient beaucoup d'un magasin à l'autre. (Prices vary a lot from one store to another.)

• La météo a varié tout au long de la semaine. (The weather varied throughout the week.)
• Il faut varier les plaisirs. (One must vary the pleasures/keep things interesting.)
• Elle aime varier son style vestimentaire. (She likes to vary her clothing style.)

The 'to swap' or 'to interchange' – permuter

The French verb permuter translates to 'to swap,' 'to interchange,' or 'to permute.' It implies a mutual exchange or a change in order between two or more elements.

You'll often hear permuter when referring to the exchange of physical items, roles, or positions. For instance, two employees might permuter leurs postes (swap their positions), or you might permuter des pièces (interchange parts).

Beyond physical objects, permuter is also used in more abstract or technical fields. In mathematics, it relates to permutations, and in computing, it can describe swapping variables or data elements. It emphasizes the idea of a direct, reciprocal exchange.

💡 *Les deux collègues ont décidé de permuter leurs jours de congé. (The two colleagues decided to swap their days off.)
*Il faut permuter les câbles pour que ça fonctionne. (The cables need to be interchanged for it to work.)
*Le professeur a suggéré de permuter les places des élèves. (The teacher suggested swapping the students' seats.)
*Les lettres de ce mot peuvent être permutées de plusieurs façons. (The letters of this word can be permuted in several ways.)

The 'to reform' or 'to reshape' – reformer

The French verb reformer means 'to reform' or 'to reshape'. It's commonly used when discussing significant changes to systems, institutions, or policies.

Its primary application involves making substantial, often systemic, alterations to something that already exists. Think of governmental reforms, educational reforms, or even reforming one's habits.

While it shares a root with 'former' (to form), reformer implies a transformation or improvement of an existing structure, rather than creating something entirely new. It often carries a connotation of progress or correction.

Reformer is a regular -er verb, meaning its conjugation follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -er in French. For example, je reforme, nous reformons.

💡 *Le gouvernement a décidé de réformer le système de santé. (The government decided to reform the healthcare system.)
*Il faut reformer nos habitudes pour être plus productifs. (We must reshape our habits to be more productive.)
*L'entreprise cherche à reformer sa stratégie marketing. (The company is looking to reform its marketing strategy.)
*Les étudiants espèrent que l'université va reformer le programme. (The students hope the university will reform the curriculum.)

The 'to alter' (often negatively) – altérer

The French verb altérer translates most directly to "to alter" or "to change," but it carries a strong connotation of changing for the worse, damaging, or impairing something. It implies a degradation or a negative modification from an original state.

Altérer is a regular -er verb. Its conjugation follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -er, making it relatively straightforward to use in various tenses. For example, in the present tense: j'altère, tu altères, il/elle/on altère, nous altérons, vous altérez, ils/elles altèrent.

You'll often encounter altérer when describing physical damage or degradation to an object, substance, or structure. It suggests that something has been compromised or its integrity lessened.

Beyond physical changes, altérer is also frequently used to describe the impairment of abstract concepts such as quality, health, a mood, or even the truth. It implies a negative impact on a state or characteristic.

💡 * L'humidité a altéré la qualité du bois. (Humidity altered the quality of the wood.)

• Le stress peut altérer votre sommeil. (Stress can impair your sleep.)
• Ces nouvelles informations n'altèrent en rien notre décision. (This new information doesn't alter our decision at all.)
• Le temps a altéré la couleur du tableau. (Time has altered the color of the painting.)
• Son jugement était altéré par la fatigue. (His judgment was impaired by fatigue.)

Are there other ways to say 'to change' in French?

Are there other ways to say “to change” in French?

Our article has covered the most common and versatile verbs for 'to change' in French, like changer, modifier, and transformer. However, the French language is rich with nuances, and there are many other verbs and expressions that convey specific types of change.

If you're looking for very specific contexts, you can always do an online search for 'comment dire changer en ___' followed by a particular situation or domain (e.g., 'comment dire changer en informatique' for 'to change' in computing).

When you come across new verbs or phrases related to 'change,' make sure to consult a good dictionary. Pay close attention to their nuances, conjugations, and the prepositions they might require to ensure you use them correctly.

As you immerse yourself in French media — books, films, podcasts, or conversations — you'll naturally encounter a wider array of vocabulary for expressing change. Context is key to understanding these subtle differences.

For a comprehensive list and deeper understanding of synonyms and related expressions for 'changer,' WordReference is an excellent resource. You'll find many verbs that describe specific kinds of transformations, alterations, or shifts.

I hope this guide has helped you master the art of expressing 'to change' in French. Remember, language itself is constantly changing. As the French writer Anatole France said, "Les mots sont les petites monnaies de la pensée." (Words are the small coins of thought.) And like coins, their value and usage can change over time.