ISORI

〜の代(か)わりに

JLPT N3:

instead of / in exchange for

"Instead of X" or "in place of X". It can also mean "in return for".

How to form it

  • Nouns take の: コーヒーの代(か)わりに (instead of coffee).
  • Verbs use the plain form: 行(い)けない代(か)わりに (since I can't go, instead…).
  • It can mean "in return": 英語(えいご)を教(おし)える代(か)わりに、日本語(にほんご)を教(おし)えてもらう (I teach English and am taught Japanese in return).
  • After a person, it means "in someone's place": 母(はは)の代(か)わりに行(い)った (I went in my mother's place).

Examples

コーヒーの代(か)わりに、お茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)んだ。

I had tea instead of coffee.

行(い)けない代(か)わりに、メッセージを送(おく)った。

I couldn't go, so I sent a message instead.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving out の after a noun. Say コーヒーの代(か)わりに.