Meaning

Primary

To Be Replaced

Alternatives

To Be Substituted, To Be Switched

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means replace, and this word means to be replaced, to be substituted, and to be switched.

This verb is intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. You'll sometimes see it with the particle , though, because the is showing a "path" rather than a direct object in this case.

Reading

かわる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji.

Context

Context Sentences

ドラえもんの声優が替わってから、観なくなってしまった。

I stopped watching Doraemon after the voice actor was replaced.

今回の選挙で政権が替わることになりました。

The government will be replaced in this election.

もしご迷惑でなければ、席を替わってもらえませんか?彼女と一緒なんですが、席が別々になってしまったんです。

If it's not too much trouble, could you switch seats with me? I'm with my girlfriend, but we're seated separately.

Kanji Composition