化ける

ばける

Meanings

1. Ichidan verb, Intransitive 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 (into); to transform; to metamorphose
4. to change radically (for the better); to transform; to improve dramatically and unexpectedly (e.g. of an actor, sportsperson, stock price); to make a complete turnaround

Kanji

• 化 transform. Read as ばける.

Example sentences

• 猫は化けると言われる。
  It is said that cats can change shape.

Common phrases

• 人間に化ける
• 姿に化ける
• 狐が化ける
• タヌキが化ける
• 化けて出る (ばけてでる) to become a wandering ghost

Related forms

• 化かす (ばかす) to bewitch (transitive partner)

Words containing 化ける

• 化け物 (ばけもの) goblin
• お化け屋敷 (おばけやしき) haunted house
• 化けの皮 (ばけのかわ) mask (concealing one's true character)

And 14 more.

Word lists

• JLPT N1

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists