1.
to replace, to exchange, to substitute
To swap one thing for another, typically replacing something worn out, outdated, or unsuitable with a new or different one.
電球を替えた。
I replaced the light bulb.
汚れたシーツを新しいのに替えてください。
Please change the dirty sheets for new ones.
そろそろタイヤを冬用に替える時期だ。
It's about time to switch the tires to winter ones.
TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive (他動詞). The intransitive pair is 替わる.
ASPECT (ている):
替えている indicates an ongoing action of replacing, or that a replacement has been made. The focus is typically on the result.
KANJI USAGE:
Japanese has several かえる verbs with different kanji, each with a distinct nuance:
- 替える: to replace one thing with another of the same kind (e.g., changing clothes, swapping a battery)
- 変える: to change the nature or state of something (e.g., changing a plan, altering a schedule)
- 代える: to substitute one person or thing for another (e.g., a substitute teacher)
- 換える: to exchange or convert (e.g., exchanging currency, converting units)
In practice, these distinctions are often blurred, and hiragana かえる is frequently used.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 服を替える: to change clothes
- 電池を替える: to replace batteries
- 水を替える: to change the water
- 気分を替える: to change one's mood