Japanese word

替わる

Pronunciation

Romajikawaru

Meaning

  • verbtake over

Example

夜は別の人が替わります。yoru wa betsu no hito ga ka wa ri ma su

At night, another person takes over.

Illustration for 替わる (take over)

More examples

途中で担当が替わっても、記録は残します。to chū de tan tō ga ka wa tte mo ki roku wa noko shi ma su

Even if the person in charge changes midway, we keep a record.

Core concept

Marks a change in which one person or thing moves out of a role and another takes its place.

Common phrases

  • 前の担当者と替わるmae no tan tō sha to ka wa ru

    take over from the previous person

Similar words

交代するkōtaisuru: To take turns in a role or duty with another person.
引き継ぐhikitsugu: To receive responsibility for a task or role from someone else.
入れ替わるirekawaru: To exchange places so that one person or thing replaces another.

Definition in Japanese

他の人や物と入れ替わり、その役割や位置を引き受ける。hoka no hito ya mono to i re ka wa ri so no yaku wari ya i chi o hi ki u ke ru

Word origin

替わる (kawaru) is a native Japanese verb related to 替える (kaeru, "replace"); its intransitive use describes one person or thing taking another's place.

Usage tips

  • In shift work, this verb commonly describes one worker taking over from another at a set time, such as when a night shift begins.

Other meanings

  • be replacedverb
  • relieveverb

Related words

  • 替わり目kawarimechangeovernoun

Word lists with this word