Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 10: 15/20

代(か)わりにInstead of, In place of, In exchange for

Structure

Verb + 代(か)わりに
［い］Adjective + 代(か)わりに
［な］Adjective + な + 代(か)わりに
Noun + の + 代(か)わりに

Details

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About 代わりに

代(か)わり 'a substitute' is a noun that is used to convey when (B) is acting as a replacement or substitute for (A). The case marking particle に will come after 代(か)わり, before a (B) statement will highlight who the replacement is, and possibly what they are doing.

As 代(か)わり is a noun, it may be used after the attributive form of any word.

Occasionally, 替(か)わり 'to exchange' may be used instead of 代(か)わり 'to substitute'. However, within the context of this particular grammar structure, there is little to no change in nuance.

Fun Fact

代(か)わりに is often used at the beginning of sentences, simply to express a more preferable option for something. In these cases, it comes across as 'rather than that, (A)', or 'instead, (A)'.

  • 代(か)わりに行(い)ってくれない？
    As a replacement, can you go for me?
  • 代(か)わりにこれを持(も)って行(い)って。
    Instead of that, can you go take this?

Examples

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    バターの代(か)わりにマーガリンを使(つか)っています。

    I am using margarine instead of butter.

    コーヒーの代(か)わりに紅茶(こうちゃ)では駄目(だめ)ですか？

    Is tea in place of coffee not good enough?

    玉(たま)ねぎの代(か)わりに長(なが)ねぎを使(つか)おう。

    Let's use green onions in place of ordinary onions.

    電話(でんわ)の代(か)わりに、メールを送(おく)った。

    Instead of calling, I sent him an email.

    私(わたし)の代(か)わりにこの問題(もんだい)を解(と)いてください。

    Please solve this question instead of me.

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代わりに – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (5 in total)

  • conan

    conan

    DIJG also covers this as “to make up for”, as in: 昼間遊ぶ代わりに夜勉強するつもりだ。“I am going to enjoy myself in the daytime, so/but (to make up for it) I will study at night.”

    Will this nuance be added?

  • testing

    testing

    What does that mean? How is it fun “in exchange” for it being difficult?

    I’ve been puzzling with a native English speaker (who’s also learning Japanese) over this, and while we can come up with “Work is difficult but fun.”, it doesn’t sound like that would need a 代わりに in Japanese, so we’re a bit stumped.

  • Sammouse

    Sammouse

    Upon reading the other resources it seems that 代わりに has the nuance of “to make up for”, which fits the translation much better. The translation bunpro provided confused me in the same way and this is how I was able to rationalise it

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