English–Japanese

“instead” in Japanese

Japanese

Alsoかえって (kaette)

Pronunciation

Romajikawari

Example

私の代わりに行ってください。watashi no ka wa ri ni i tte ku da sa i

Please go instead of me.

Illustration for 代わり (instead)

How to say “instead” in Japanese

“Instead” in Japanese is 代わり (kawari).

It identifies what fills another's role or what is selected in place of something else.

Full entry for 代わり: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 代わり

この箱は小さな机の代わりになります。ko no bako wa chii sa na tsukue no ka wa ri ni na ri ma su

This box can serve as a small table.

Tips for using 代わり

  • In conversation, 代わりに (kawari ni) can show that someone acts for another person or that one action is chosen in place of another.

Other Japanese words for “instead”

手伝ったら、かえって迷惑をかけました。te tsuda tta ra ka e tte mei waku o ka ke ma shi ta

I tried to help, but I caused trouble instead.

“instead” in other languages