To Change Form, To Transform
intransitive verb, ichidan verb
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means change so you'd think the verb version is "to change," but it's a bit more specific. This word means to change form or to transform. 化ける means to change into something else, usually in a surprising and magical way. It's often used in stories where animals or spirits take on human forms. It can also describe transformations in real life that are so dramatic they feel unreal.
ばける
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you: You try to transform. You want to turn into something awesome, like a dinosaur, but then *poof* you turn into a sheep. "Baaaa," you say. "Baaa."
女も男もメイクで化けることが出来る。
Both women and men can be transformed with makeup.
タヌキは人間に化けるのが上手です。
Raccoon dogs are good at transforming into human beings.
中古のポルシェが三年後に一千万円に化けたって本当ですか？
Is it true that a used Porsche turned into ten million yen after three years?
私の家は一年間のリノベーションで国宝レベルの家に化けた。
My house was transformed into a national treasure-level house with a year of renovation.