()()える

はきかえる
verb (ichidan, transitive)
to change (footwear/legwear); to put on different shoes
他動詞 transitiveactionclothing
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present()()える()()えない
Present polite()()えます()()えません
Past()()えた()()えなかった
Past polite()()えました()()えませんでした
て form()()えて()()えなくて
ている present()()えている()()えていない
ている polite()()えています()()えていません
ている past()()えていた()()えていなかった
ている past polite()()えていました()()えていませんでした
Conditional ば()()えれば()()えなければ
Conditional たら()()えたら()()えなかったら
Volitional()()えよう
Volitional polite()()えましょう
Potential()()えられる()()えられない
Passive()()えられる()()えられない
Causative()()えさせる()()えさせない
Imperative()()えろ()()えるな
1. to change (footwear or legwear)
To take off one pair of shoes, slippers, pants, or other items worn on the lower body and put on a different pair. Commonly used for changing shoes when entering a building.
Please change into slippers at the entrance.
I changed into athletic shoes and went to the gym.
(ふゆ)タイヤ()()える時期(じき)
It's time to change to winter tires.
I changed out of my dirty pants before going out.
When you arrive at school, you have to change into indoor shoes first.

Transitivity: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Two patterns, distinguished by particle:

  • X()()える - change out of X (X is what you take off)
  • X()()える - change into X (X is what you put on)

The pattern is the more common one.

Aspect:いる gives the resulting state as often as the ongoing action — もう()()えている normally means 'has already changed (and is now wearing them)'.

Forms

Compound verb: () (to wear on the lower body or feet) + ()える (to change, exchange).

Usage

Applies to anything worn on the lower body that is being swapped:

  • (くつ)()()える (to change shoes)
  • スリッパ()()える (to change into slippers)
  • ズボン()()える (to change pants)
  • タイヤ()()える (to change tires - extended usage, since a car 'wears' tires)

Japanese culture

Changing shoes is an important custom in Japan. At schools, workplaces, homes, and many public buildings, visitors change from outdoor shoes (外履(そとば)) to indoor shoes (内履(うちば) / 上履(うわば)).

Similar compound verbs