代わる To Replace

Meaning

Primary

To Replace

Alternatives

To Substitute For, To Be Substituted

Word Type

intransitive 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, so we can get to the meaning of this word through that: To replace / to substitute for.

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 portion.

You have to replace your car (か). It is getting old, and seems like it will explode at any moment, literally.

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