Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 交換 | kōkan | [ko̞ːkã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 為替 | kawase | [ka̠β̞a̠se̞] (narrow) |
| 両替 | ryōgae | [ɾʲo̞ːɡa̠e̞] (narrow) |
| 取り替え | torikae | [to̞ɾʲika̠e̞] (narrow) |
| 交流 | kōryū | [ko̞ːɾʲɨː] (narrow) |
Japanese uses different words for 'exchange' depending on what is being traded. Use 交換 for a broad sense of exchanging goods, information or services. Use 両替 specifically for exchanging one type of currency for another. Use 取り替え when the exchange implies replacing an item that is broken, old or incorrect. Use 交流 for the exchange of ideas, culture or social interaction. Finally, use 為替 in technical or financial contexts like foreign exchange rates or bills of exchange.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the exchange: 交換 is used for a general swap of items or information. 両替 is used specifically for money exchange. 取り替え is used for replacement. 交流 is used for social or cultural interaction. And 為替 is used for technical financial transactions.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kōkan
Did you know?
- When discussing a 'cultural exchange', Japanese speakers prefer 交流 (kōryū), which uses the character for 'flow', implying that ideas should flow like water between people.
- When Japanese speakers 'exchange' greetings, they do not use 交換 but rather the verb 交わす, as 交換 implies a physical trade of objects.
- In the context of replacing a lightbulb or a car part, Japanese uses 取り替え even if the old part is simply thrown away and not traded for anything.
Examples in context
- 取り替えてください。Could you exchange it with a different one?This sentence is useful for asking to use the form 取り替え to replace an item.Tatoeba #148675 by bunbuku, translation #265884 by CM
- 電話番号交換しようよ。Let's exchange phone numbers.This sentence is useful for using the form 交換 to suggest swapping phone numbers.Tatoeba #12324530 by small_snow, translation #10645124 by sundown
- 連絡先を交換しようよ。Let's exchange contact details!This sentence is useful for using the form 交換 to suggest swapping contact details.Tatoeba #12324531 by small_snow, translation #12866418 by 58mph
- 彼はドルを円に両替した。He exchanged dollars into yen.
- 私たちは意見を交換しました。We exchanged opinions.
- そのCDを友達と交換しました。I exchanged that CD with a friend.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are at a retail store discussing a faulty item.
- 結衣 Yuiこの靴、サイズが合わないので交換したいです。Kono kutsu, saizu ga awanai node kōkan shitai desu.These shoes don't fit, so I want to exchange them.
- 健太 Kenta承知いたしました。レシートはありますか？Shōchi itashimashita. Reshīto wa arimasu ka?Understood. Do you have the receipt?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、これです。お願いします。Hai, kore desu. Onegaishimasu.Yes, here it is. Please.
- 健太 Kentaすぐにお手続きしますね。Sugu ni otetsuzuki shimasu ne.I will process that for you right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exchange” translations and entries 交換, 為替, 両替, 取り替え, 交流, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
