Word
交替
Meaning in Englishchange, relief, alteration
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
交替 means alternation or substitution, referring to a planned swap where one person or thing takes over from another in a sequence or over time. It captures the concept of taking turns or replacing duties, rather than a one-time change.
Main meanings
- Alternation or rotation of duties, typically in work schedules, teams, or responsibilities
- Substitution or replacement of a person, object, or process when the usual one is unavailable
- Switching states in a mechanism or system to maintain continuity and efficiency
How to use it
Used mainly in formal and organizational contexts to describe a scheduled handover of duties, shifts, or roles. Common in corporate HR, operations, and public settings; in sports it appears in contexts of substitutions, though 交代 tends to be more common; typical phrases include 交替で and 交替制.
Variants and close terms
- 代替 (daitai) — substitution
- 交替制 (koutai-sei) — system of alternating duties
- 交替勤務 (koutai kinmu) — shift-based work arrangement
Composition
- 交: exchange, crossing
- 替: substitute, replacement
- Together they convey the idea of exchanging or taking turns in duties or roles
Word class
Noun (suru-verb)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
交互
kougo
mutual, reciprocal, alternate
N1
交渉
koushou
negotiation
N1
交付
koufu
delivering, furnishing (with copies)
N1
国交
kokkou
diplomatic relations
N1
取り替え
torikae
swap, exchange
N1
交す
kawasu
to exchange
N1
切替
kirikae
exchange, conversion, switchover
N1
立て替える
tatekaeru
to pay in advance, to pay for another
N1
社交
shakou
social life
Kanji