Translation guide
How to express that one thing replaces or substitutes for another in Japanese.
To say that A takes the place of B, or that A is used instead of B.
A replaces B. Uses the intransitive verb 代わる (かわる).
新しいシステムが古いシステムに代わった。
The new system took the place of the old system.
A serves as a substitute for B. 代わり (かわり) means 'substitute' or 'replacement'.
彼が私の代わりをしてくれた。
He took my place (did it for me).
To say that a person substitutes for another person in a role or duty.
A fills in for B. Very common for temporary substitutions.
今日は私が彼の代わりをします。
I'll take his place today.
A acts as B's representative or proxy. More formal, used in business or official contexts.
To say that one thing is used instead of another thing, often due to unavailability or improvement.
Use B instead of A. The most straightforward pattern.
砂糖の代わりにはちみつを使った。
I used honey in place of sugar.
To substitute A with B. 代用 (だいよう) means 'substitution'. Slightly formal.
代わる (かわる) is intransitive: 'A replaces B' (AがBに代わる). 代える (かえる) is transitive: 'replace A with B' (AをBに代える). Do not confuse them.
Avoid directly translating 'take the place of' as 場所を取る (ばしょをとる), which means 'to take up space'. Use 代わり (かわり) or 代わる (かわる) instead.
A becomes a substitute for B. Similar to 代わりをする, but emphasizes the state of being a replacement.
このアプリが辞書の代わりになる。
This app can take the place of a dictionary.
To replace A with B. Uses the transitive verb 代える (かえる).
バターをマーガリンに代えた。
I replaced butter with margarine.
I will take the place of the department manager.
A becomes a scapegoat or takes the blame/risk in place of B. Literally 'body substitute'. Used in dramatic or sacrificial contexts.
彼は友達の身代わりになって罰を受けた。
He took his friend's place and received the punishment.
Since I don't have the special tool, I'll use this in its place.