Japanese

える

かえる
Meaning: to substitute; to replace; to use in place of
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 代える 代えない
Polite 代えます 代えません
Past 代えた 代えなかった
Polite + Past 代えました 代えませんでした
Te-form 代えて 代えなくて
Potential 代えられる 代えられない
Passive 代えられる 代えられない
Causative 代えさせる 代えさせない
Imperative 代えろ 代えるな

Handwriting

代
え
る

Example sentences

I will let this letter serve as my greeting.
親の子に対する愛は、何物にも代えがたい。
A parent's love for their child is irreplaceable.
健康は何物にも代えがたい。
Health is irreplaceable by anything.

Usage Notes

Often used in formal or humble expressions where one action or item takes the place of another. A common phrase is '挨拶に代える' (to substitute for a greeting).

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