替え
Meanings
Refers to the act or result of changing something. Very common as a suffix in compounds such as 席替え, 模様替え, and クラス替え.
Next week we will change seats in the classroom.
I rearranged my room over the weekend.
replacement; substitute; spare; change of clothes
Means an item kept or used in place of another. In phrases like シャツの替え or 靴下の替え, it means a spare change of clothing.
Let's take a spare pair of socks just in case.
Do you have a replacement for this part?
exchange rate; rate of exchange
Only when written 換え
Financial or exchange-related use, usually written 換え. As a standalone modern term it is limited; 為替レート or 交換レート is usually clearer.
In financial contexts, 換え can refer to the exchange ratio between currencies.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の替えa spare/replacement for 〈物〉
I put a spare shirt in my bag.
- 〈物〉に替えがないthere is no spare/replacement for 〈物〉
There's no spare part for this.
- 〈人〉に替えはいないno one can replace 〈人〉
There's no one who could replace him.