(こうたい)

こうたい
noun, suru verb
replacement; relief; changing of the guard
1. replacement; relief; substitution
One person taking over from another, especially in a role or position. Emphasizes a complete handover where the replacement takes the predecessor's place.
選手(せんしゅ)交代(こうたい)があった。
There was a player substitution.
夜勤(やきん)看護師(かんごし)交代(こうたい)する時間(じかん)だ。
It's time to change shifts with the night-duty nurse.
世代(せだい)交代(こうたい)(すす)み、(わか)経営者(けいえいしゃ)()えてきた。
As generational change progresses, more young business leaders are emerging.

Focuses on one person or thing replacing another. Compare with 交替(こうたい), which emphasizes taking turns in rotation.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 選手(せんしゅ)交代(こうたい) (player substitution)
  • 世代(せだい)交代(こうたい) (generational change)
  • 交代(こうたい)勤務(きんむ) (shift work)
  • 交代(こうたい)で (in turns, by turns)

USAGE NOTE:
交代(こうたい) and 交替(こうたい) are often used interchangeably, but strictly speaking, 交代(こうたい) implies a permanent or one-time replacement (a new president replacing the old), while 交替(こうたい) implies a recurring rotation (nurses taking turns on night duty). In practice, 交代(こうたい) is the more common spelling for both uses.