Japanese word

代用

Pronunciation

Romajidaiyō

Meaning

  • nounsubstitution

Example

砂糖は蜂蜜で代用できます。sa tō wa hachi mitsu de dai yō de ki ma su

Honey can be used as a substitute for sugar.

Illustration for 代用 (substitution)

More examples

正式な部品が届くまで、別の部品で代用しました。sei shiki na bu hin ga todo ku ma de betsu no bu hin de dai yō shi ma shi ta

I used another part as a substitute until the proper one arrived.

Core concept

Focuses on making an alternative serve the function of the usual choice.

Common phrases

  • 代用を認めるdai yō o mito me ru

    allow substitution

  • 代用を探すdai yō o saga su

    look for a substitute

  • 代用で済ませるdai yō de su ma se ru

    make do with a substitute

Similar words

代わりkawari: A person or thing used in place of another.
代替daitai: The replacement of one thing with another for the same purpose.
代用品daiyōhin: An item used in place of the usual item for the same purpose.

Definition in Japanese

ある物の代わりに、同じ役割を持つ別の物を使うこと。a ru mono no ka wa ri ni ona ji yaku wari o mo tsu betsu no mono o tsuka u ko to

Word origin

The compound 代用 (daiyō, "substitution") consists of 代 (dai, "replacement") and 用 (yō, "use"), linking replacement with practical use.

Usage tips

  • The English word substitute can describe a temporary stand-in, but 代用 (daiyō) does not by itself promise that the replacement will be temporary, making time span a context-based detail.

Related words

  • 代用するdaiyōsurusubstituteverb
  • 代用品daiyōhinsubstitutenoun

Word lists with this word