〜代わりに / 〜かわりに
kawari ni
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N2, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
Instead of… / in place of… / in exchange for…
〜代わりに has two related uses. (1) Substitution: 部長の代わりに私が出席します = I will attend in place of the manager. (2) Trade-off: 駅に近い代わりに家賃が高い = it's close to the station, but in exchange the rent is high. In both, one thing is exchanged for another.
Everyday and formal. Substitution use is very common in offices; trade-off use in descriptions of pros and cons.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + の + 代わりにVerb (dictionary / た) + 代わりにい-adjective + 代わりにな-adjective + な + 代わりにFormal substitute: Noun + に代わって
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| substitution | 部長の代わりに出席する | instead of / on behalf of |
| trade-off | 近い代わりに高い | in exchange for |
| compensation | 手伝う代わりにご飯をおごって | in return for |
Natural examples
部長の代わりに、私が会議に出席します。
ぶちょうのかわりに、わたしがかいぎにしゅっせきします。
I will attend the meeting in place of the department manager.
Substitution: attending on behalf of someone.
車で行く代わりに、自転車で行った。
くるまでいくかわりに、じてんしゃでいった。
Instead of going by car, I went by bicycle.
Substitution of an action: bicycle instead of car.
このアパートは駅に近い代わりに、家賃が高い。
このアパートはえきにちかいかわりに、やちんがたかい。
This apartment is near the station, but in exchange the rent is high.
Trade-off: an advantage paired with a disadvantage.
今日は手伝ってあげる代わりに、来週は君が手伝ってね。
きょうはてつだってあげるかわりに、らいしゅうはきみがてつだってね。
I'll help you today; in return, you help me next week.
Exchange of favors.
この薬はよく効く代わりに、眠くなるという副作用がある。
このくすりはよくきくかわりに、ねむくなるというふくさようがある。
This medicine works well, but in exchange it has the side effect of making you sleepy.
Trade-off, similar to 反面.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜に代わって
Formal "on behalf of", only for substitution of people or things.
〜反面 (N2)
Trade-off only: "on the other hand". Cannot mean "instead of".
〜ないで / 〜ずに
"Without doing / instead of doing" as a manner, without the idea of exchange.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 部長代わりに
- ✓
- 部長の代わりに
- Why
- Nouns need の before 代わりに.
- ✗
- 駅に近いの代わりに家賃が高い。
- ✓
- 駅に近い代わりに家賃が高い。
- Why
- Adjectives and verbs attach directly; の is only for nouns.
- ✗
- コーヒーの代わりに紅茶を飲みませんか。(intended: instead of coffee, how about tea?)
- ✓
- コーヒーの代わりに紅茶はいかがですか。
- Why
- Grammatical, but 代わりに + an invitation sounds like a demand; rephrase as an offer.
For sense (2), 〜反面 is a close relative; 代わりに implies a trade-off. 〜に代わって is the formal substitute form ("on behalf of"). Sentence-initial その代わり(に) = "in exchange / but on the other hand".
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- If someone or something replaces another, choose 代わりに; if the sentence lists a plus and a minus, 代わりに is also correct (trade-off).
- The noun connection is の代わりに; verbs and adjectives attach directly. Check the option's connector.
- Distractors: に比べて, に加えて, にしては. Only 代わりに carries the idea of exchange.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜代わりに / 〜かわりに mean?
Instead of… / in place of… / in exchange for…. 〜代わりに has two related uses. (1) Substitution: 部長の代わりに私が出席します = I will attend in place of the manager. (2) Trade-off: 駅に近い代わりに家賃が高い = it's close to the station, but in exchange the rent is high. In both, one thing is exchanged for another.
How do you form 〜代わりに / 〜かわりに?
Noun + の + 代わりに / Verb (dictionary / た) + 代わりに / い-adjective + 代わりに / な-adjective + な + 代わりに / Formal substitute: Noun + に代わって. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜代わりに / 〜かわりに used?
Everyday and formal. Substitution use is very common in offices; trade-off use in descriptions of pros and cons.
What is the difference between 〜代わりに / 〜かわりに and 〜に代わって?
Formal "on behalf of", only for substitution of people or things.
What is the difference between 〜代わりに / 〜かわりに and 〜反面 (N2)?
Trade-off only: "on the other hand". Cannot mean "instead of".
What is a common mistake with 〜代わりに / 〜かわりに?
Wrong: 部長代わりに Right: 部長の代わりに Nouns need の before 代わりに.
Quick check
病気の母（ ）、私が家事をしています。