代わりに | Instead Of and In Exchange For in Japanese

Substitution or Trade

代(か)わりに does two related jobs.

1. Instead of — one thing replaces another.

2. In exchange for — a trade, each side giving something.

The second sense is what にかわって cannot do.

Pattern	Sense
にかわって	formally standing in, or historically replacing
かわりに	instead of, or in exchange for

社長(しゃちょう)にかわって is deputising at a ceremony. 社長(しゃちょう)のかわりに is simply going in their place. Only かわりに can express a trade.

It also introduces an upside that offsets a downside, close to が:

家賃(やちん)が高(たか)い**代(か)わりに**駅(えき)に近(ちか)い。(The rent is high, but on the other hand it's near the station.)

Neutral. Everyday speech and writing alike, unlike にかわって which is formal.

Example Sentences

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Speed

バスの代(か)わりに電車(でんしゃ)で行(い)きました。

I went by train instead of by bus.

手伝(てつだ)う代(か)わりに夕食(ゆうしょく)をおごってください。

I'll help you, in exchange for dinner.

父(ちち)の代(か)わりに私(わたし)が行(い)きます。

I'll go in my father's place.

家賃(やちん)が高(たか)い代(か)わりに駅(えき)に近(ちか)いです。

The rent is high, but it's close to the station.

砂糖(さとう)の代(か)わりに蜂蜜(はちみつ)を使(つか)いました。

I used honey instead of sugar.

教(おし)えてもらう代(か)わりに手伝(てつだ)います。

I'll help out in return for being taught.

給料(きゅうりょう)が少(すく)ない代(か)わりに時間(じかん)があります。

The pay is low, but there's time to make up for it.

外食(がいしょく)する代(か)わりに自炊(じすい)することにした。

I decided to cook at home rather than eat out.