Learn Kanji: 代 · kyoubenkyou

代

5 strokes

Frequency: 66

JLPT N3

Grade 3

Meanings

substitute

change

convert

replace

period

age

counter for decades of ages, eras, etc.

generation

charge

rate

fee

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds

ダイ

タイ

Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words

か.わる

かわ.る

かわ.り

か.わり

-がわ.り

-が.わり

か.える

よ

しろ

Nanori — Specialized readings used in names

す

Common Words

時代

じだい

Noun

Freq #822

period; epoch; era; age

Examples

今や時代との競争になった。

It was now a race against time.

the times; those days

oldness; ancientness; antiquity

Abbreviation

antique; period piece

代わりに

代りに

かわりに

Expression

Freq #981

instead of; in place of; as a substitute for

Examples

２階に私のかわりにもっていってください。

Would you mind carrying it up the stairs for me?

in exchange for; in return for; to make up for

代

だい

Freq #1260

Common noun; Noun, used as a suffix

charge; cost; price

Examples

うちの会社は、いればいるだけ残業代がもらえるからね。

The longer you stay, the more overtime pay you'll get.

Common noun; Noun, used as a suffix

generation; age; (school) year; cohort; reign

Examples

あの会社との取り引きは父の代から糸を引くように切れない。

Our transactions with that firm have continued unbroken since my father's generation.

Common noun; Noun, used as a suffix; Geology

era

Common noun; Noun, used as a suffix; After someone's name or title

a representative of; on behalf of; for (someone)

Common noun; Noun, used as a suffix; Used after a phone number

switchboard number

Counter

counter for decades of ages, eras, etc.

Examples

２０代の若い女性の中には、夏休みに海外旅行にでたいと思う人も多い。

Many young women in their 20s plan to go abroad during their summer holidays.

Counter

counter for generations (of inheritors to a throne, etc.)

Examples

安倍内閣は、第９０代の内閣総理大臣に指名された安倍晋三が２００６年９月２６日に発足させた内閣である。

The Abe Cabinet is the Cabinet inaugurated on September 26, 2006 by Shinzo Abe, who was appointed as Japan's 90th Prime Minister.

Abbreviation; Counter

proxy application company

Abbreviation; Common noun; Used in dictionaries, etc.

pronoun

代表

だいひょう

Noun

Freq #2296

Noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru; Transitive verb

representation; representative; delegate; delegation

Examples

級友を代表してお礼の言葉を述べさしていただきます。

On behalf of my classmates, let me say a few words of thanks to you.

我々の代表は新税の計画に異論を唱えた。

Our representative argued against the new tax plan.

Noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru; Transitive verb

exemplification; typification; being representative of; being typical of; representative example; exemplar; model

Examples

モネの芸術は印象派を代表している。

Monet's art is representative of Impressionism.

leader

Abbreviation

switchboard number; main number

世

代

よ

Noun

Freq #2424

世 only

world; society; public

Examples

光が世にやって来た。

Light has come into the world.

life; lifetime

Examples

新聞は世の動向を左右する。

Newspapers influence the current of time.

age; era; period; epoch; generation

reign; rule

世 only

the times

世 only; Buddhism

world (of existence)

朝代

ちょうだい

Noun

Freq #2442

Rare term

dynastic era

替わる

代わる

換わる

替る

代る

換る

かわる

Godan verb

Intransitive

Freq #2587

Esp. 替わる, 替る

to succeed; to relieve; to replace

Examples

ジムは、ベティーにかわって手紙を書いた。

Jim wrote the letter for Betty.

Esp. 代わる, 代る

to take the place of; to substitute for; to take over for; to represent; to hand over (telephone)

Examples

その会社は、経営者が３回替わっている。

The company has changed hands three times.

Esp. 換わる, 換る

to be exchanged; to change (places with); to switch

代わり

替わり

代り

替り

かわり

Noun

Freq #2852

Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

substitute; replacement; substituting; replacing

Examples

自分で行く代わりに手紙を送りました。

Instead of going myself, I sent a letter.

Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

stand-in; proxy; alternate; deputy; relief; successor

Examples

二つ折りにしたクッションを枕代わりに、僕はフローリングの上にカーペットを敷いただけの固い床へと横になる。

Using a doubled-up cushion in place of a pillow I lie down on the hard wooden floor with nothing but a carpet spread over it.

Usu. as 〜代わりに, etc.

compensation; exchange; return

Usu. as お代わり

another helping; second helping; seconds; refill

Abbreviation; Esp. 替わり, 替り

upcoming program; upcoming programme

その代わり

その代り

そのかわり

Freq #3791

Conjunction

instead; but (on the other hand)

Examples

映画に行きたいような気がしない。その代わり散歩をしよう。

I don't feel like going to the movies. Let's take a walk instead.

現代

げんだい

Noun

～の Adj.

Freq #4115

present age; present day; today

Examples

私は現代の音楽はあまり好きではない事を認めます。

I must admit I don't like much contemporary music.

modern era; modern times

Examples

私達が住んでいる現代に入ってから、私達は国際論争の結末として、２度の世界大戦を体験した。

In modern times we have gone through two world wars as the end result of international disputes.

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