Japanese grammar
What does ～かわりに mean? Japanese grammar N3
～かわりに means instead of ~; in return for ~; on the other hand.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vる／Vた + かわりに Nの + かわりに |
| Romaji | kawarini |
| Meaning | instead of ~; in return for ~; on the other hand |
Forming it
| Noun | 父 → 父のかわりに |
|---|---|
| Verb | 見る → 見るかわりに |
How to use it
Two meanings: (a) doing B INSTEAD of A; (b) gaining one thing while losing another — a trade-off.
- Meaning (a) SUBSTITUTION: 「映画を見るかわりに、本を読んだ」「父のかわりに私が行きます」.
- Meaning (b) TRADE-OFF: states the upside and downside of the same thing — 「この部屋は駅に近いかわりに、家賃が高い」.
- Nouns MUST connect via 「の」: 「父のかわりに」, not 「父だかわりに」.
Examples
今日は父のかわりに私が会議に出ます。
Today I'll attend the meeting in place of my father.
この部屋は駅に近いかわりに、家賃が高い。
This room is close to the station, but in exchange the rent is high.
Keep in mind
- Nouns use 「Nの + かわりに」.
- For meaning (b), the two clauses must be opposite in effect (one a benefit, one a cost).
Common mistakes
-
Wrong父だかわりに私が行きます。
I'll go instead of my father.
Correct父のかわりに私が行きます。
Nouns connect via 「の」, not 「だ」.
-
Wrongこの部屋は駅に近いかわりに、静かです。
This room is close to the station; in exchange, it's quiet.
Correctこの部屋は駅に近いかわりに、うるさいです。
The trade-off meaning requires two OPPOSING clauses: one advantage paired with one disadvantage.
Exam tips
- 「かわりに」 = instead of / in exchange (trade-off); nouns need 「の」.