What does it mean word for word?
The word 代わりに is composed of the noun kawari, meaning "change" or "substitute" and the particle ni, meaning "in" or "at".
Which one should you use?
While 代わりに is a standard way to say "instead of," there are different levels of formality for related expressions. For instance, それよりも (instead of that/rather than that) is formal, whereas its casual version それより is used in informal speech. Similarly, while ではなく is a formal way to say "instead of" or "as opposed to," the informal expression じゃなくて is used in casual conversation to mean "instead of" or "rather than."
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "instead of doing [verb]", place the dictionary form of the verb before 代わりに. When using "instead" as an adverb after a specific action or at the end of a clause, place 代わりに after that action.
How do you pronounce it?
kawari ni
Did you know?
- The root word kawari is also used in the term kawari-mono, which refers to an unusual or eccentric person who doesn't fit the standard mold.
- In Japanese culture, if someone does a favor 代わりに (instead of) you, it is common to feel a strong social obligation to return the favor, known as on.
- When using 代わりに to mean 'in exchange for', it can imply a sense of compensation, such as 'I will do this for you instead of a fee'.
Examples in context
- 犬の代わりに猫を飼いたい。I want to keep a cat instead of a dog.This sentence shows how to use 代わりに when choosing one animal over another.Tatoeba #175317 by bunbuku, translation #239149 by CK
- 代わりにトランプで遊ぼうよ。Let's play cards instead.This sentence demonstrates using 代わりに at the end of a suggestion to play a different game.Tatoeba #11103077 by bunbuku, translation #45531 by CK
- 彼は父の代わりにそこへ行った。He went there instead of his father.This sentence shows how to use 代わりに to indicate one person acting in place of another.Tatoeba #100391 by bunbuku, translation #303307 by CK
- 私はりんご ではなく 、オレンジを食べます。I eat oranges instead of apples.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 蓮 Renラーメンの代わりに、パスタにしない？Ramen no kawari ni, pasuta ni shinai?Instead of ramen, shall we have pasta?
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ。パスタにしよう。Ii yo. Pasuta ni shiyou.Sure. Let's have pasta.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、あのお店はどうかな？Yui, ano omise wa dou kana?Yui, how about that shop?
- 結衣 Yuiあそこなら、間違いなく美味しいよ。Asoko nara, machigainaku oishii yo.If it's that place, it's definitely delicious.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
