替える・換える・代える|かえるkaeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
替える替える（かえる） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it as the usual spelling when writing this verb.
換える換える（かえる） is a less common written form than 替える（かえる）. It is an alternative spelling of the same verb, but beginners should generally choose 替える（かえる） instead.
代える代える（かえる） is less common than 替える（かえる） and 換える（かえる）. It is another alternative spelling, while 替える（かえる） remains the recommended choice for beginners.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto replace; to convert; to changeusu. 替える
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto exchange; to interchange; to renewusu. 換える
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto substitute (person, staff member, player, etc.)usu. 代える
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 替える（かえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 替えます（かえます） |
| Negative (nai) | 替えない（かえない） |
| polite (masen) | 替えません（かえません） |
| classical zu / nu | 替えず・替えぬ（かえず・かえぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 替えた（かえた） |
| polite (mashita) | 替えました（かえました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 替えなかった（かえなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 替えませんでした（かえませんでした） |
| Te form | 替えて（かえて） |
| Potential | 替えられる（かえられる） |
| Passive | 替えられる（かえられる） |
| Causative | 替えさせる（かえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 替えさせられる（かえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 替えれば（かえれば） |
| tara | 替えたら（かえたら） |
| Volitional | 替えよう（かえよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 替えましょう（かえましょう） |
| Imperative | 替えろ（かえろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym取り替えるとりかえるNeutralCommon in speech: replace an old thing with a new one or exchange things, as in 「電球を取り替える」.
- Synonym入れ替えるいれかえるNeutralReplace the contents of something, or swap positions and order, as in 「空気を入れ替える」.
- Synonym差し替えるさしかえるNeutralSwap one part for another, as in 「写真を差し替える」; used mostly for documents and manuscripts.
- Synonym引き換えるひきかえるNeutralExchange one thing for another, as in 「券を景品と引き換える」; also means being in contrast to something.
- Synonym置き換えるおきかえるNeutralTake what is there and put something else in its place, or move it elsewhere, as in 「AをBに置き換える」; also for rephrasing.
- Synonym振り替えるふりかえるNeutralTransfer money or reschedule, as in 「休日を振り替える」; leans toward adjusting accounts and dates.
- SynonymコンバートNeutralLoanword for converting data formats or repositioning a player; mostly in IT and sports.
- SynonymチェンジNeutralLoanword for changing or replacing, as in 「メンバーチェンジ」; common in speech.
- SynonymスワップNeutralLoanword for swapping, mostly in finance and IT, as in 「金利スワップ」.
- SynonymトレードNeutralLoanword for trading; in pro sports, teams trading players, without needing equal value.
- Synonym付け替えるつけかえるNeutralRemove the old and attach a new one, as in 「ボタンを付け替える」; also used for accounting transfers.
- Synonymすり替えるすりかえるNeutralSwitch something secretly so no one notices, or dodge an issue, as in 「問題をすり替える」; has an underhanded feel.
- Synonymすげ替えるすげかえるNeutralSwap out parts or personnel, as in 「首をすげ替える」 for ousting the person in charge.
- Synonym掛け替えるかけかえるNeutralReplace something hung up, like a picture or sign, or rebuild a bridge, as in 「橋を掛け替える」.
- Related切り替えるきりかえるNeutralSwitch over to a different way or state, as in 「頭を切り替える」; stresses the changeover itself.
- Related取り交わすとりかわすNeutralTwo parties exchange things with each other, as in 「契約書を取り交わす」; used on formal occasions.
- RelatedスイッチNeutralLoanword for switching, as in 「スイッチする」; also the physical switch device.
- Related交換こうかんNeutralSino-Japanese word for mutual exchange or replacing old with new, as in 「名刺交換」「部品交換」; leans formal.
- Related乗り換えるのりかえるNeutralChange trains or buses, or move on to something new, as in 「電車を乗り換える」.
- Related交代こうたいNeutralRotation or taking over shifts, as in 「選手交代」; centers on people alternating or being replaced.
- Related互換ごかんNeutralBeing mutually replaceable; mostly seen in 「互換性」; leans technical.
- Related切り替わるきりかわるNeutralIntransitive: shift into another state or be replaced, as in 「画面が切り替わる」「新システムに切り替わる」; 「替える」 is transitive.
- Related交わすかわすNeutralExchange greetings, contracts, sake cups, glances and the like, as in 「挨拶を交わす」「契約を交わす」; also to cross. 「替える」 swaps things or people, not words or looks.
- Related置き換えおきかえNeutralNoun for replacement or substitution, as in 「文字の置き換え」; leans technical.
- Related繰り替えるくりかえるWrittenWritten/formal prose for exchanging or swapping something; rare — say 「入れ替える」 or 「取り替える」 in daily life.
- Related取り替えっことりかえっこCasualColloquial for two people swapping what they hold; warm, childlike feel, mostly among kids but adults use it too.
Use 「替える」 (also written 「換える」「代える」) to replace something old with new or different. In speech 「取り替える」 is the everyday choice; 「入れ替える」 swaps what is inside or positions; 「乗り換える」 changes trains; 「交換」 is mutual exchange. Compounds pick their own objects: 「差し替える」 documents, 「付け替える」 attached parts, 「振り替える」 money and schedules. Loanwords fit specific fields: 「チェンジ」, 「スワップ」, 「コンバート」, 「トレード」, 「スイッチ」. 「交代」 is people rotating; 「交わす」 and 「取り交わす」 exchange words or papers; 「切り替わる」 is intransitive.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
