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How to Say "to change" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cambiar

/kahm-bee-AHR//kamˈbjaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'cambiar' when something becomes different on its own, like a natural process or a spontaneous alteration.
A simple illustration of a tree where half the leaves are vibrant green and the other half are bright red and orange, depicting the change of seasons.

Examples

El tiempo cambia muy rápido en la montaña.

The weather changes very quickly in the mountains.

Las cosas han cambiado mucho desde que éramos niños.

Things have changed a lot since we were kids.

Mi hermano cambió de opinión y ahora quiere venir.

My brother changed his mind and now he wants to come.

Changing Your Mind, Job, etc.

To say you're changing something like your mind, job, or house, use the pattern 'cambiar de + [noun]'. For example, 'Voy a cambiar de trabajo' (I'm going to change jobs). You don't need to say 'mi trabajo'.

Changing Clothes: 'cambiar' vs. 'cambiarse'

Mistake: “Voy a cambiar mi ropa.”

Correction: Voy a cambiarme de ropa. When you're changing your own clothes, you almost always use 'cambiarse'. Think of it like 'to change oneself'.

convertir

/kohn-vehr-teer//kom.beɾˈtiɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'convertir' when you are transforming one thing into another, often involving a change in form, value, or function.
A plain rectangular block of wood is shown mid-transformation, with one end clearly finished as a detailed wooden bird sculpture, illustrating the change of form.

Examples

Necesitas convertir los euros a dólares antes del viaje.

You need to convert the euros to dollars before the trip.

Necesitas **convertir** los euros a dólares antes del viaje.

You need to **convert** the euros to dollars before the trip.

El mago prometió **convertir** el agua en vino.

The magician promised to **convert** the water into wine.

Vamos a **convertir** esta habitación vieja en una oficina.

We are going to **convert** this old room into an office.

Stem Change (e > ie)

In the present tense, the 'e' in the stem changes to 'ie' (e.g., convierto, conviertes) in all forms except for nosotros and vosotros.

Using 'en'

When you change something into something else, Spanish requires the preposition en (e.g., convertir X en Y).

Preterite Change

Mistake: “Él convertió (incorrect stem)”

Correction: Él convirtió. Remember that the third-person forms of the past tense also change the 'e' to an 'i' (convirtió, convirtieron).

mudar

/moo-DAHR//muˈðar/

verbB1general
Use 'mudar' specifically when replacing one thing with another, such as changing clothes, bedsheets, or other removable items.
A neatly folded pile of fresh, colorful clothes being placed on a wooden table.

Examples

Hay que mudar las sábanas una vez por semana.

The bedsheets should be changed once a week.

La serpiente muda su piel cada pocos meses.

The snake sheds its skin every few months.

Transitive Use

In this sense, 'mudar' takes a direct object (the thing being changed), like 'la piel' (the skin) or 'las sábanas' (the sheets).

Choosing Between 'Cambiar' and 'Convertir'

Learners often confuse 'cambiar' and 'convertir'. Remember, 'cambiar' implies something becoming different naturally or spontaneously, while 'convertir' signifies an active transformation from one state or form to another.

Related Translations

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