Japanese word

替える

Pronunciation

Romajikaeru

Meaning

  • verbreplace

Example

古い電池を新しい電池に替えます。furu i den chi o atara shi i den chi ni ka e ma su

I replace the old battery with a new one.

Illustration for 替える (replace)

More examples

古いノートを新しいノートに替えます。furu i nō to o atara shi i nō to ni ka e ma su

I replace my old notebook with a new notebook.

このサイズが合わないので、別の商品に替えます。ko no sa i zu ga a wa na i no de betsu no shō hin ni ka e ma su

This size does not fit, so I will exchange it for a different item.

Core concept

Describes using a different item in place of the one that was originally used or present.

Common phrases

  • 電池を替えるden chi o ka e ru

    replace a battery

  • 電球を替えるden kyū o ka e ru

    replace a light bulb

  • 部品を替えるbu hin o ka e ru

    replace a part

Similar words

取り換えるtorikaeru: To remove an old or worn item and put a new one in its place.
代えるkaeru: To use one thing in place of another for a particular purpose.
入れ替えるirekaeru: To replace the contents or positions of something with different ones.

Definition in Japanese

古い物や使っていた物を、別の物に入れ替える。furu i mono ya tsuka tte i ta mono o betsu no mono ni i re ka e ru

Word origin

As a native Japanese word, 替える (kaeru, "to replace") is the modern form of 替ふ (kafu, "to replace"), an older verb with the same meaning.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 替える (kaeru) commonly describes replacing a worn-out item, such as a battery or filter, with a new one.

Other meanings

  • changeverb
  • exchangeverb

Related words

  • 替え方kaekataway of replacingnoun
  • 替えkaereplacementnoun

Word lists with this word