代わる To Substitute For

Meaning

Primary

To Substitute For

Alternatives

To Take Over For, To Replace

Word Type

intransitive verb, transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means substitute, and the verb 代わる means to substitute for or to take over for. Use it when one player substitutes for another in sports, for example, or when someone takes over for you at work.

代わる is usually intransitive, but sometimes it can be transitive and take a direct object. Kind of like "to take over" in English — someone can take over your shift (transitive), or just take over for you (intransitive).

Reading

かわる

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you to remember the か part:

You need something to substitute for your car (か). It's getting repaired, so you can't use it now. I guess you can substitute your bike for your car?

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 〜が代わる

  オーナーが代わる

  the owner is replaced

  スタッフが代わる

  staff gets replaced

  世代が代わる

  generations change

• 〜に代わる

  これに代わる

  to replace this

  それに代わる

  to replace that

  アメリカに代わる

  to replace the U.S.

Context Sentences

ジェニーとシフトを代わる。

I'll swap shifts with Jenny.

もしよければ、代わりましょうか。

If you don’t mind, can I take your place?

この少年はスティーブ・ジョブズに代わる天才です。

This boy is a genius to replace Steve Jobs.

Kanji Composition

1. 代

   だい Substitute