To Replace
To Substitute For, To Be Substituted
intransitive verb, godan verb
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, so we can get to the meaning of this word through that: To replace / to substitute for.
代わる is used when one thing takes the place of another or assumes the function of something else, like a player being substituted in a game or someone taking over someone else's job.
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 portion.
You have to replace your car (か). It is getting old, and seems like it will explode at any moment, literally.
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.