1.
alternation, change, taking turns
The act of replacing one person or thing with another in rotation.
選手交替があった。
There was a player substitution.
運転を交替しながら旅行した。
We traveled taking turns driving.
世代交替が進み、若い社員が中心になってきた。
Generational change has progressed, and younger employees have become the core.
2.
shift, relief (of duty)
The changing of workers at the end of a work period.
次の交替は何時ですか。
What time is the next shift change?
夜勤の交替時間になった。
It's time for the night shift change.
交替勤務は体に負担がかかるので、健康管理が大切だ。
Shift work puts a strain on the body, so health management is important.
交替 means to alternate or take turns, with a focus on rotation and cyclical replacement.
KANJI VARIANTS:
Also commonly written as 交代. The two spellings are largely interchangeable in modern Japanese, though 交替 emphasizes rotation/alternation and 交代 emphasizes replacement.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 交替する: to alternate, to take turns
- 交替勤務: shift work
- 世代交替: generational change
- 選手交替: player substitution
- 運転を交替する: to take turns driving
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜を交替で行う: to do something in shifts/turns
- 交替の時間: changeover time
This word functions as both a noun and a する verb.