塗(ぬ)り替(か)える

ぬりかえる
verb (ichidan)
to repaint, to rewrite (a record)
1. to repaint, to paint over
To apply a new coat of paint over an existing surface; to change the color by repainting.
壁(かべ)を白(しろ)く塗(ぬ)り替(か)えた。
I repainted the wall white.
古(ふる)くなった外壁(がいへき)を塗(ぬ)り替(か)える時期(じき)だ。
It's time to repaint the old exterior walls.
2. to rewrite, to break (a record)
(Figurative) To replace an existing record or history with a new one; to set a new record.
世界記録(せかいきろく)を塗(ぬ)り替(か)えた。
She broke the world record.
Figurative: rewriting history
歴史(れきし)を塗(ぬ)り替(か)える大発見(だいはっけん)だ。
This is a great discovery that will rewrite history.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Compound verb: 塗(ぬ)る + 替(か)える.

PATTERN: Xを塗(ぬ)り替(か)える (repaint X / rewrite X)

COMPOUND VERB PATTERN: ～替(か)える compounds indicate replacing or redoing:

  • 書(か)き替(か)える (to rewrite)
  • 作(つく)り替(か)える (to remake)
  • 入(い)れ替(か)える (to replace)

FIGURATIVE USE: Very common in sports journalism when describing record-breaking achievements.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 記録(きろく)を塗(ぬ)り替(か)える (break a record)
  • 歴史(れきし)を塗(ぬ)り替(か)える (rewrite history)

Related Words

Related: 塗(ぬ)る
general
Added 2026.1.17 17:22 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06270_nurikaeru