代わる代わる

• Reading: かわるがわる
• Romaji: kawarugawaru
• Kanji breakdown: 代 (dai/ka) — substitute, replace, generation
• Pronunciation: /ka.wa.ɾɯ.ɡa.wa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

Alternately; by turns; one after another. Describes people or things taking turns in succession.

An adverb describing an action performed by people in alternation, one replacing another in succession. Used when multiple people take turns doing the same thing — 代わる代わる話す (to speak in turns), 代わる代わる訪ねる (to visit one after another). Natural and vivid, it conveys a sense of continuous succession.

Examples

1. 生徒たちが代わる代わる黒板の前に立った。 The students took turns standing in front of the blackboard.
2. お見舞いに代わる代わる友人が来てくれた。 Friends came to visit me in the hospital one after another.
3. 子供たちが代わる代わるブランコに乗っている。 The children are taking turns on the swing.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, descriptions, narratives, group activities

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the verb 代わる (kawaru, to replace/to take turns), reduplicated. The repetition emphasises the continuous, alternating nature of the action — one person replacing another, then another replacing them.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal