Spanish · Everyday Verbs

"to change" in Spanish: cambiar

cambiar

Say it: kahm-BYAHR / KAHM-byohverb/kam.ˈbjaɾ/

To change in Spanish is cambiar. Say yo cambio and cambiar de idea. It covers plans, clothes, and money exchange.

Plans

Cambio el plan si llueve.
I'll change the plan if it rains.
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How to pronounce cambiar

Say it

kahm-BYAHR / KAHM-byoh

/kam.ˈbjaɾ/

kahm-BYAHR. Yo cambio is KAHM-byoh. Soft by sound.

"to change" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
cambiarto change

Infinitive.

yo cambioI change

Present first person.

cambiar deto change (topic/thing)

Cambiar de idea.

cambio de ropachange of clothes

Travel bag.

¿Puede cambiar?Can you change (money)?

Currency desk.

How to use cambiar in real life

  1. 1Plans

    Cambio el plan si llueve.

    I'll change the plan if it rains.

    Cambio drops yo.

  2. 2Clothes

    Voy a cambiarme antes de salir.

    I'm going to change before going out.

    Cambiarme = change clothes.

  3. 3Money

    ¿Pueden cambiar dólares aquí?

    Can you change dollars here?

    Cambiar for currency.

Mistakes English speakers make with cambiar

Incorrect: Yo cambio para ropa (wrong preposition).

Correct: Me cambio de ropa. / Voy a cambiarme.

Clothes: me cambio or cambiarme.

Incorrect: Yo changear el boleto.

Correct: Cambio el boleto. / Voy a cambiar el boleto.

Use cambiar, not English change.

Good to know

Cambiar covers tickets, seats, and currency. Me cambio means I change clothes. Cambiar de opinión is I change my mind. Context makes the meaning clear.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Rain ruins outdoor plans

  1. ChatPal

    ¿Cambiamos el plan por el museo?

    Shall we change the plan for the museum?

  2. You

    Sí. Cambio de idea: vamos adentro.

    Yes. I change my mind: let's go inside.

  3. ChatPal

    Perfecto. Yo también cambio de idea.

    Perfect. I change my mind too.

  4. You

    Llevo un suéter por si acaso.

    I'm bringing a sweater just in case.

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"to change" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "to change" in Spanish

How do I say I change?

Yo cambio.

Change my mind?

Cambio de idea / de opinión.

Change clothes?

Me cambio / voy a cambiarme.

How do you pronounce cambiar?

kahm-BYAHR — bya is one beat.

Learn a word, then use it out loud

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  3. Step 3: Get feedback
  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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