How to Say “In Place Of” or “On Behalf Of” in Japanese with にかわって

When one thing (or person) replaces another, or when someone does something on behalf of someone else, Japanese uses the phrase にかわって. This is different from かわりに—it’s not about a temporary switch or a tradeoff, but about full-on replacement or representation. Let’s learn how to use にかわって when one thing stands in for another.

にかわって

In Place Of / On Behalf Of

Usage Pattern

[Noun] にかわって + [Verb / Phrase]

Details

JLPT Level: N3

How to Use It

Use にかわって when someone takes over for someone else, or when one item has replaced another completely. It’s most often used with people, especially in professional or formal settings.
This grammar is only used with nouns, and is often used when someone does something in another person’s place, like filling in at work or responding to an email. It can also refer to things that have been replaced more permanently, like smartphones replacing flip phones.

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Example 1

先生にかわって私が授業をします。

せんせい に かわって わたし が じゅぎょう を します。

Sensei ni kawatte watashi ga jugyō o shimasu.

I will teach the class in place of the teacher.

Example 2

父にかわって母が料理を作りました。

ちち に かわって はは が りょうり を つくりました。

Chichi ni kawatte haha ga ryōri o tsukurimashita.

My mom cooked dinner instead of my dad.

Example 3

ガラケーにかわってスマートフォンが使われています。

がらけー に かわって すまーとふぉん が つかわれています。

Garakē ni kawatte sumātofon ga tsukawareteimasu.

Smartphones are used instead of flip phones.

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