KanjiSchool
化
化 (readings: か, け, ばけ; Japanese kanji) means “to change / to transform”. It is a Grade 3 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 3 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 文化 (culture).
What does 化 mean?
| Kanji | 化 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | to change / to transform |
| Readings | か, け, ばけ |
| Grade | Grade 3 (Medium) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 化
化 is read か or け or ばけ depending on the word.
Example words with 化
| Example | 文化 (culture) |
|---|
Practice writing 化 — free
See 化's stroke order, take a quiz, and add it to your spaced-repetition review. KanjiSchool teaches all 1,026 Kyōiku kanji through real stories and news.
Start free — no credit card →
Updated: 2026-07-14