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On behalf of; replacing
Definition
The grammar pattern 'N + に代わって / に代わり' is used to express that one person or thing represents or replaces another. It is often used in formal situations or when describing a change in a traditional way of doing something. The nuance of this pattern is to emphasize the substitution or representation, rather than just a simple replacement.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | N + に代わって / に代わり | 社長に代わって、副社長が会議を開催した |
| Noun | N + に代わって / に代わり | 新しいシステムに代わって、古いシステムが使用されていた |
| Noun | N + に代わって / に代わり | 病気の父に代わって、母が子供を連れて行った |
Examples
病気の父に代わって、私が結婚式に出席することになった
Byouki no chichi ni kawatte, watashi ga kekkonshiki ni tsuujitsumono ni natta
I had to attend the wedding ceremony in place of my father who was ill
病気の父 (sick father) に代わって (on behalf of the sick father) 私 (I) が結婚式 (wedding ceremony) に出席することになった (had to attend)
最近ではロボットが人間に代わって、危険な作業を行っている
Saikin wa robotto ga ningen ni kawatte, kiken na sagyō o tsukutte iru
Recently, robots have been performing dangerous tasks in place of humans
最近では (recently) ロボット (robots) が人間 (humans) に代わって (on behalf of humans) 危険な作業 (dangerous tasks) を行っている (are performing)
社長に代わって、秘書がご挨拶申し上げます
Shacho ni kawatte, hisho ga goaisatsu moushiagemasu
The secretary will greet on behalf of the president
社長 (president) に代わって (on behalf of the president) 秘書 (secretary) がご挨拶 (greeting) 申し上げます (will greet)
Context
This pattern is used in formal situations or when describing a change in a traditional way of doing something. It is more formal than 'にかわって' and is often used in writing or in formal speech. It is used to emphasize the substitution or representation, rather than just a simple replacement.
Watch out
While 'にかわって' can be used in informal situations, 'に代わって' is more formal and is often used in writing or in formal speech.
The pattern 'N + に代わって / に代わり' is used with nouns, not verbs. Using it with verbs will result in incorrect grammar.
The subject of the action is the person or thing that is replacing or representing another. Make sure to identify the subject correctly to avoid confusion.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the formality of the situation. Use 'に代わって' for formal situations or when describing a change in a traditional way of doing something. Make sure to identify the subject of the action correctly.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows N + に代わって / に代わり used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
病気の父に代わって、私が結婚式に出席することになった。
Pattern used: に代わって
When representing someone (like a father), 'ni kawatte' is the correct term for representation.
最近ではロボットが人間に代わって、危険な作業を行っている。
Pattern used: に代わって
Indicates a role substitution where robots perform tasks instead of humans.
社長に代わり、秘書がご挨拶申し上げます。
Pattern used: に代わり
'Ni kawari' is appropriate for formal business contexts like speeches.
Interactive
病気の父______、私が結婚式に出席することになった。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.