Japanese word

替え

Pronunciation

Romajikae

Meaning

  • nounspare

Example

シャツの替えを持っています。sha tsu no ka e o mo tte i ma su

I have a spare shirt.

Illustration for 替え (spare)

More examples

雨に備えて靴の替えを車に入れています。ame ni sona e te kutsu no ka e o kuruma ni i re te i ma su

I keep a spare pair of shoes in the car for rainy weather.

Core concept

It presents an extra item held ready to take the place of the one currently in use.

Common phrases

  • シャツの替えsha tsu no ka e

    spare shirt

  • 替えの電池ka e no den chi

    replacement battery

  • 替えを用意するka e o yō i su ru

    prepare a spare

Similar words

予備yobi: An extra item kept for use when the current one is unavailable or no longer usable.
スペアsupea: A spare item kept ready to replace one in use, often in casual speech.
予備品yobihin: An extra part or item stored for later replacement, especially in a technical setting.

Definition in Japanese

使っている物の代わりに用いるための、同種の予備の物。tsuka tte i ru mono no ka wa ri ni mochi i ru ta me no dō shu no yo bi no mono

Word origin

This native Japanese noun is formed from the stem of 替える (kaeru, "to replace or change"), using the verb stem as a noun for a replacement item.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 替え (kae) appears in compounds such as 替え芯 (kaeshin), meaning a replacement refill, so it can refer to a spare part as well as a whole item.

Other meanings

  • changenoun

Word lists with this word