French · Everyday Verbs
"to change" in French: changer
changer
To change in French is changer. Je change de train means I change trains. Changer de + noun is the usual pattern for switching something.
Metro transfer
Je change de ligne à Opéra.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce changer
Say it
shahn-ZHAY
/ʃɑ̃.ʒe/
Changer: shahn-ZHAY. Soft ch; nasal an; -er like ay. Je change sounds shahnzh.
"to change" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| changer | to change Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| je change | I change Present. | Present. |
| changer de | to change (switch) Changer de train, d'avis… | Changer de train, d'avis… |
| ça a changé | that has changed Past participle changé. | Past participle changé. |
How to use changer in real life
- 1Metro transfer
Je change de ligne à Opéra.
I change lines at Opéra.
Changer de.
- 2Clothes before dinner
Attends, je change de chemise.
Wait—I'm changing my shirt.
Je change.
- 3Plans update
On a changé d'horaire ce matin.
We changed the schedule this morning.
Changé past participle.
Mistakes English speakers make with changer
Incorrect: Il y a un grand changement — pour conjuguer changer.
Correct: On a changé le plan.
Un changement is a noun; use a form of changer for the verb.
Incorrect: Je change le train.
Correct: Je change de train.
Use changer de + noun for switching.
Good to know
Changer de is everywhere: avis, peau, sujet, appartement. Without de, changer quelque chose means alter it. Station announcements use correspondance more than changer, but travelers still say je change.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Rushing a connection
ChatPal
Tu changes à Lyon Part-Dieu ?
Do you change at Lyon Part-Dieu?
You
Oui, je change de train en huit minutes.
Yes—I change trains in eight minutes.
ChatPal
Si tu rates, change pour le suivant.
If you miss it, change to the next one.
You
Ok, je cours.
Okay—I'm running.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to change" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to change" in French
How do you say to change in French?
Changer.
How do you say change trains?
Changer de train.
Does changement count as the verb?
No—that's the noun.
How do you pronounce changer?
shahn-ZHAY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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