When you need to say something was changed, modified, or corrected in Japanese, you have three main options: 変更する, 修正する, and 訂正する. Dictionaries often list them as synonyms, but native speakers use them in distinct situations. Getting them right will make your written and spoken Japanese — especially in business or study contexts — sound much more precise.
Yuka変更する・修正する・訂正するってどう違うの？(What is the difference between henkō suru, shūsei suru, and teisei suru?)
Rei変更は大きな変化、修正は細かい調整、訂正は誤りを正すことだよ。(Henkō is a larger overall change; shūsei is a minor adjustment; teisei is correcting an error.)
At a Glance: 変更 vs 修正 vs 訂正
| Word | Reading | Core meaning | Typical context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 変更する | henkō suru | change (significant, planned) | Plans, schedules, layouts, designs |
| 修正する | shūsei suru | modify / adjust (minor tweak) | Designs, code, machines, text |
| 訂正する | teisei suru | correct (fix an error) | Sentences, typos, facts, pronunciation |
変更する (henkō suru) — Change (Significant / Planned)
変更する implies a deliberate, meaningful change — often to a plan, concept, or design. It is more formal than 変える and is the standard word in business communication. A casual, colloquial version used by younger speakers is イメチェン (short for イメージチェンジ) — changing one’s appearance or style.
Sample
Yukaあとで変えようとして忘れてた！ごめん！ (I thought to change it later but forgot. Sorry!) (ato de kaeyō to shite wasureteta! gomen!)
Reiんー、レイアウトを変更したほうがいいと思うけどー。 (Hmm, I think you need to change the layout.) (n-, reiauto wo henkō shita hō ga ī to omou kedo-.)
Yukaイメチェンした？かわいいー！ (Did you change up your look? So cute!) (imechen shita? kawaī!)
修正する (shūsei suru) — Modify / Adjust
修正する is used for minor adjustments or tweaks — not a complete overhaul, but a slight change to make something better. It is frequently used for designs, code, machines, system settings, and also text or opinions. Think of it as “fine-tuning.”
Sample
Reiデザインを若干修正しといたよ。マジ疲れたわ〜。 (I slightly adjusted the design. I’m really tired.) (dezain wo jakkan shūsei shitoita yo. maji tsukareta wa-.)
Yuka言ってた通りに修正したよ。 (I modified it exactly as you said.) (itteta tōri ni shūsei shita yo.)
Reiサイトのデザインを修正しといたからね。 (I’ve adjusted the design on your website.) (saito no dezain wo shūsei shitoita kara ne.)
訂正する (teisei suru) — Correct (Fix an Error)
訂正する is specifically about correcting a mistake or error. It is narrower than 修正 and is most at home when talking about typos, factual errors, misspoken words, or wrong information in a document. In formal writing you will often see 訂正します (We hereby correct the following error).
Sample
Yuka訂正したデータを送るね。 (I’ll send you the corrected data.) (teisei shita dēta wo okuru ne.)
Rei作文を訂正してくれない？ (Can you correct my essay?) (sakubun wo teisei shite kurenai?)
Yuka訂正したから確認してね。 (I’ve corrected it, so please check.) (teisei shita kara kakunin shite ne.)
Decision Guide
| What you want to say | Best word |
|---|---|
| Change the meeting time (planned revision) | 変更する |
| Fix a typo in an email | 訂正する |
| Slightly adjust a software setting | 修正する |
| Correct a wrong fact in a presentation | 訂正する |
| Change the overall layout of a poster | 変更する |
| Fine-tune a machine’s performance | 修正する |
Quick Quiz: Fill in the Blank
Choose 変更する, 修正する, or 訂正する.
- 予定を_______ してもいいですか？ (May I change the plan?)
- そのデータに誤りがあったので_______ しました。 (There was an error in that data, so I corrected it.)
- コードを少し_______ したら、バグが直った。 (After slightly adjusting the code, the bug was fixed.)
Answers: 1. 変更する 2. 訂正する 3. 修正する
A simple memory trick: 変更 = a fresh change of direction, 修正 = a small adjustment, 訂正 = fixing a factual error. Master these three and your Japanese emails and reports will sound much more professional.
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