How to say "fill-in" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

代役だいやくCommon
nounA fill-in in the person sense: someone who temporarily takes another's place, especially an actor; it also covers 'stand-in' and 'understudy'.
彼かれは父親ちちおやの代役だいやくをした。↗
He was substituted for his father.
おかずJLPT N2approx.Common
nounThe drumming sense of 'fill-in': a short passage played between phrases in a piece of music. It is colloquial, and the word is usually written in kana alone.

Use 代役 for a fill-in meaning a person who temporarily takes someone's place, as in acting; use 「おかず」 only for the drumming term, a short passage between phrases.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

代役だいやくsubstitute (actor)
フィルインfill-in (usu. percussion)
六号記事ろくごうきじfill-in (in magazines, newspapers, etc.)
おかずfill

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