～かわりに

When to use

Neutral, flexible "instead of" - can follow a verb phrase ("instead of doing X, I did Y").

Explanation

The ～かわりに grammar point is used to express doing something in place of or as a substitute for something else. It can be translated as 'instead of', 'in place of', or 'as a substitute for' in English. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective, or noun.

• 映画えいがを見みるかわりに、本ほんを読よんだ。

  Instead of watching a movie, I read a book.

  Eiga wo miru kawari ni, hon wo yonda.

• お酒さけを飲のむかわりに、水みずを飲のんでください。

  Please drink water instead of alcohol.

  Osake wo nomu kawari ni, mizu wo nonde kudasai.

• 犬いぬのかわりに、猫ねこを飼かいたいです。

  I want to keep a cat instead of a dog.

  Inu no kawari ni, neko wo kaitai desu.

• 電車でんしゃを使つかわないかわりに、自転車じてんしゃで行いくことにしました。

  I decided to go by bicycle instead of using the train.

  Densha wo tsukawanai kawari ni, jitensha de iku koto ni shimashita.

Instead Of (In Place Of)

• ～にかわって〜ni kawatteN3Expresses 'in place of', 'on behalf of', or 'instead of'.

Compare when to use each