身代(みが)わり

みがわり
noun
substitute; stand-in; scapegoat
1. substitute; stand-in; someone who takes another's place
A person who takes the place of another, especially to bear punishment, danger, or hardship on their behalf. Can also refer to an object used as a protective substitute.
彼(かれ)は友人(ゆうじん)の身代(みが)わりになった。
He took his friend's place.
身代(みが)わりの人形(にんぎょう)を置(お)いて逃(に)げた。
He left a substitute doll and escaped.
王子(おうじ)の身代(みが)わりとして処刑(しょけい)されそうになったが、最後(さいご)に真実(しんじつ)が明(あき)らかになった。
He was about to be executed as a stand-in for the prince, but the truth came to light at the last moment.

Compound of 身(み) (body, self) + 代(か)わり (substitute). Carries a dramatic nuance of self-sacrifice or deception.

In traditional Japanese culture, 身代(みが)わり地蔵(じぞう) (substitute Jizo statues) are believed to take on illness or misfortune in place of a person. 身代(みが)わりのお守(まも)り (protective charms) serve a similar function.

Common collocations

  • 身代(みが)わりになる (to become a substitute)
  • 身代(みが)わりを立(た)てる (to put up a stand-in)
  • 身代(みが)わり地蔵(じぞう) (substitute Jizo statue)

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 替(か)え玉(だま) (body double, fake substitute)
Compare: 犠牲(ぎせい) (sacrifice)
Compare: 代役(だいやく) (stand-in)
general
Added 2026.2.28 18:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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