Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Kanji Vocab
    3. 化ける

    化ける

    化ばけ​る​

    to take the form of (esp. in ref. to a spirit, fox, raccoon dog, etc.)

    N1KMT9News #32+1CoreVerb, IntransitiveCulture & TraditionsKanji Vocab8 strokes

    ばける

    Verb, Intransitive

    1.
    to take the form of (esp. in ref. to a spirit, fox, raccoon dog, etc.), to assume the shape of, to turn oneself into, to transform oneself into
    2.
    to disguise oneself as
    3.
    to change radically, to metamorphose
    4.
    to improve unexpectedly and dramatically (esp. of an actor, artist, rikishi, etc.)

    Stroke 0 / 8

    Speed1.0x

    狐きつねが人にん間げんに化ばけた。

    The fox transformed into a human.

    KMT5Culture & TraditionsAnimals
    日に本ほんの昔むかし話ばなしでは、動どう物ぶつが人にん間げんに化ばける話はなしが多おおくあります。

    In Japanese folktales, there are many stories where animals transform into humans.

    KMT8Culture & TraditionsLiteratureAnimals
    彼かの女じょはパーティーで全まったく別べつ人じんに化ばけていた。

    She had completely disguised herself as someone else at the party.

    KMT9Daily LifeCulture & Traditions
    その会かい社しゃは、経けい営えい戦せん略りゃくの転てん換かんにより、見み事ごとに優ゆう良りょう企き業ぎょうへと化ばけた。

    The company, through a change in management strategy, splendidly transformed into an excellent enterprise.

    KMT9Business & Finance
    舞ぶ台たい役やく者しゃは、役やく柄がらに合あわせて様さま々ざまな人じん物ぶつに化ばける。

    Stage actors transform into various characters according to their roles.

    KMT9Art & DesignCulture & Traditions

    Characters that make up this word

    化
    ば.ける・ば.かす・ふ.ける・け.する…(2)
    change・take the form of・influence・enchant・delude…(1)
    Kanji
    け
    ke
    Kana
    る
    ru
    Kana
    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    Used in vocabulary

    • 化
    • け
    • る

    Explore more

    Kanji Vocab dictionary›Browse all entries›