N3 Casual, Colloquial, and Alternative Forms

~かわりに: meaning, usage and examples

~かわりに means: instead of... / in exchange for...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 今朝けさはコーヒーのかわりにお茶ちゃを飲のんだ。

   This morning, I drank green tea instead of coffee.

2. 私わたしが料理りょうりするかわりに、掃除そうじをお願ねがいします。

   I'll do the cooking, so in exchange, please do the cleaning.

3. 日曜日にちようびに働はたらいたかわりに、月曜日げつようびは休やすみです。

   I worked on Sunday, so I get Monday off instead.

4. この店みせは値段ねだんが高たかいかわりに、サービスがとてもいいです。

   This store is expensive, but on the other hand, the service is very good.

When to use it

かわりに has three common uses. After a noun + の it means "instead of" or "in place of": 父ちちのかわりに行いく (go in my father's place). After a verb it can mean "in exchange for": 英語えいごを教おしえるかわりに、日本語にほんごを習ならう. It can also mean "but on the other hand": この部屋へやは狭せまいかわりに、駅えきに近ちかい.

Nuance

Neutral and everyday, used in speech and writing. Also written 代かわりに. At the start of a sentence, かわりに alone means "instead". The "on the other hand" use balances a bad point with a good one (or the reverse), so both halves should be about the same thing.

Compare

かわりに vs にかわって: かわりに is everyday and covers "instead", "in exchange", and "on the other hand". にかわって is formal and mainly means someone or something takes over another's role (社長しゃちょうにかわって). For a simple swap of things, use のかわりに: コーヒーのかわりにお茶ちゃ.

Tip: Nouns take の before かわりに, verbs do not. Saying 行いくのかわりに is a common slip; say 行いくかわりに.