Japanese word

代わり

Pronunciation

Romajikawari

Meaning

  • nouninstead

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)

More examples

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.

Core concept

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

Common phrases

  • 代わりにka wa ri ni

    instead

  • 代わりになるka wa ri ni na ru

    serve as a replacement

Similar words

代理dairi: A person acts for another person or handles another person's duties.
代用daiyō: One thing is used in place of another for a similar purpose.
代行daikō: A person performs a task or duty on behalf of another person.

Definition in Japanese

他の人や物に替えて用いるもの。また、他の方法や行為を選ぶこと。hoka no hito ya mono ni ka e te mochi i ru mo no ma ta ta no hō hō ya kō i o era bu ko to

Word origin

代わり (kawari, "substitute or instead") is the noun form of 代わる (kawaru, "to take another's place or change"), using its continuative stem.

Usage tips

  • 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 meanings

  • replacementnoun

Word lists with this word