JLPT N3 grammar

〜代わりmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. Not A, but B; B in place of A
  2. Instead of A, B; In exchange for A, B

This point is also listed at N2.

How to form it

  • nounの代わりに
  • nounに代わって
  • verb (plain form)/い-adjective代わりに
  • な-adjective (stem)な代わりに

How it is used

1) In place of: 「Nの代わりに」 or 「Nに代わって」, 'instead of A'. 2) In exchange: after a verb or adjective, 'A, but in return B', weighing a plus against a minus or trading one thing for another.

Examples

  1. 入院したお母さんに代わって僕は夕食を作ります。

    In place of my mother, who is in the hospital, I'll make dinner.

  2. 今日はご飯の代わりに、パンを食べた。

    Today I had bread instead of rice.

  3. 宿題を手伝ってあげる代わりに、昼ご飯をおごってね。

    I'll help you with your homework, but in return you buy me lunch.