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.
Let's exchange presents.
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.
I exchanged the light bulb.
Loanword from English 'trade', used in sports (player trades) or financial contexts. Not for everyday exchanges.
The player trade was announced.
To change money from one currency to another.
Specifically for exchanging currency. Used as a noun or suru-verb.
I exchanged dollars for yen at the airport.
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'.
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.
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.
Where is the currency exchange?
小切手を換金する。
To cash a check.
情報を交換する。
To exchange information.
I didn't exchange a single word with him.
返品はできますか？
Can I return this?
Foreign exchange market