Translation guide
The English word "exchange" covers several distinct actions: swapping items, converting money, trading words or ideas, and replacing goods. Japanese uses different words for each, and direct translation often fails.
To give something and receive something else in return, often between people.
The most common and general word for exchanging physical items, information, or even intangible things. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb.
プレゼントを交換しましょう。
Let's exchange presents.
名刺を交換しました。
We exchanged business cards.
Literally 'take and change', used for swapping one thing for another, often with a sense of replacement. Common for physical objects.
電球を取り替えました。
I exchanged the light bulb.
Loanword from English 'trade', used in sports (player trades) or financial contexts. Not for everyday exchanges.
選手のトレードが発表された。
The player trade was announced.
To change money from one currency to another.
Specifically for exchanging currency. Used as a noun or suru-verb.
空港でドルを円に両替しました。
I exchanged dollars for yen at the airport.
両替所はどこですか？
Where is the currency exchange?
To convert something (like a check, voucher, or points) into cash. Not for currency exchange between different currencies.
To communicate reciprocally, such as exchanging opinions, greetings, or information.
Used for mutual actions like exchanging words, greetings, promises, or glances. Often implies a back-and-forth interaction.
Also used for exchanging information or ideas, but 交わす is more natural for greetings and words.
A set phrase meaning 'to exchange words' or 'to have a conversation'.
彼とは一言も言葉を交わさなかった。
I didn't exchange a single word with him.
To take an item back to a store and get a different one or a refund.
Used for exchanging a defective or unwanted item for another of the same kind. Often used with してもらう or する.
サイズが合わないので、交換してもらえますか？
It doesn't fit, so can I exchange it?
Specifically means returning a purchased item, usually for a refund. Not exactly 'exchange', but often used in the same context.
A marketplace or system for trading securities, commodities, etc.
While 交換 can mean exchange in general, for currency exchange you must use 両替. Saying お金を交換する sounds like swapping bills or coins, not converting currency.
交わす is preferred for mutual, often intangible exchanges like greetings, words, or glances. 交換 is more for concrete items or information. 挨拶を交換する is understandable but less natural than 挨拶を交わす.
小切手を換金する。
To cash a check.
情報を交換する。
To exchange information.
返品はできますか？
Can I return this?
Foreign exchange market