Translation guide
The concept of two or more things taking turns or switching back and forth. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns, verbs, and grammatical patterns depending on whether the alternation is regular, irregular, or involves actions.
Expressing that two or more people or things alternate in a regular, repeated pattern.
A noun meaning 'alternation' or 'taking turns'. Often used with に to form an adverb.
二人は交互に歌った。
The two sang in alternation.
交互に運転しよう。
Let's take turns driving.
An adverb meaning 'alternately' or 'by turns', emphasizing the act of switching.
彼らは代わる代わる話した。
They spoke in alternation.
Means 'in turn' or 'in order', often used when people take turns doing something.
順番に自己紹介してください。
Please introduce yourselves in turn.
Describing a situation where something switches back and forth between two conditions or activities.
A verb pattern meaning 'do things like A and B', often implying alternation or repeated switching between actions.
泣いたり笑ったりした。
She alternated between crying and laughing.
行ったり来たりしている。
He's going back and forth.
A noun meaning 'alternation' or 'shift', often used for work shifts or changing of personnel.
昼夜交替で働く。
Work in day and night shifts.
Describing a regular alternation in a series, such as alternating colors or numbers.
Means 'every other one' or 'at intervals of one', used for alternating items in a sequence.
一つおきに赤と青を塗る。
Paint red and blue alternately.
Also used for alternating in a pattern, not just actions.
交互に色を変える。
Alternate the colors.
Means 'alternate' or 'staggered', often used for physical arrangement.
互い違いに並べる。
Arrange them alternately.