〜かわりに
Instead of / in exchange 〜かわりに
Meaning
"Instead of ~"; "in exchange for ~"; "in return".
Formation
[verb plain] + かわりに · [noun] の + かわりに · [na-adj] な + かわりに (written 代わりに)
Notes
Three shades in one form: substitution (バターのかわりに), compensation (給料は安いかわりに休みが多い), and acting in someone's place (父のかわりに).
Examples
バターのかわりにオリーブオイルを使(つか)いました。
I used olive oil instead of butter.
Breakdown
給料(きゅうりょう)は安(やす)いかわりに、休(やす)みが多(おお)いです。
The pay is low, but in exchange there is plenty of time off.
Breakdown
父(ちち)のかわりに私(わたし)が会議(かいぎ)に出(で)ました。
I attended the meeting in my father's place.
Breakdown
手伝(てつだ)ってもらうかわりに、昼食(ちゅうしょく)をおごります。
In return for your help, I will buy you lunch.
Breakdown
この部屋(へや)は狭(せま)いかわりに、家賃(やちん)が安(やす)いです。
This room is small, but the rent is cheap to compensate.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜一方(で)
While / on the one hand 〜一方(で)
"While ~", "on the one hand ~, on the other …" — two sides of one situation.
〜反面
On the flip side 〜反面
"On the other hand ~" — two opposite qualities of the same thing.
〜に反して
Contrary to 〜に反して
"Contrary to ~", "against ~".
〜どころか
Far from 〜どころか
"Far from ~"; "let alone ~" — the reality is well beyond, or well short of, what was said.