In place of (someone/something); on behalf of (someone); instead of (something).
Noun + に代わってPrimary
Noun + に代わり
This means "instead of someone or something." It also means "for someone" or "on behalf of someone."
社長に代わって、副社長が会議に出席しました。
On behalf of the president, the vice president attended the meeting.
これからは人間の労働者に代わって、ロボットが多くの仕事をするだろう。
From now on, robots will likely do many jobs in place of human workers.
病気の父に代わって、私が店番をしています。
I'm looking after the shop in place of my sick father.
けがをした選手に代わって、補欠の彼が試合に出ることになった。
It was decided that the substitute player would play in place of the injured player.
私用のため、本日のスピーチは山田に代わって私が担当させていただきます。
For personal reasons, I will be in charge of today's speech in place of Yamada.
This pattern shows two kinds of change. It can mean one person or thing replaces another directly. Or, it can show a new way of doing things, like email replacing letters. This is like a big change in how things are done.
Both mean "instead of". Use 〜に代わって for formal changes. This is when someone acts for another. 〜代わりに is more general. It can also mean "in return for something". 〜に代わって does not have this meaning. For a big trade, use 〜と引き換えに.
Don't use this when you want to say "instead of doing something." For example, you cannot say "instead of walking" with this phrase.
Often confused with(1)
Contrasts with(1)
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