両替

• Reading: りょうがえ
• Romaji: ryougae
• Kanji breakdown: 両 (ryō) — both, pair; 替 (tai/ka) — exchange, replace
• Pronunciation: /ɾjoː.ɡa.e/

Meaning

Currency exchange; money changing. Converting one denomination or currency into another.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (両替する). Used for both foreign currency exchange (外貨両替) and breaking bills into coins or smaller bills. 両替機 (ryōgae-ki) refers to the coin-changing machines found at Japanese laundromats, arcades, and train stations. Essential travel vocabulary.

Examples

1. 空港で円をドルに両替した。 I exchanged yen for dollars at the airport.
2. この両替機は千円札しか使えない。 This change machine only accepts 1,000-yen bills.
3. 旅行前にお金を両替しておいたほうがいい。 It's a good idea to exchange your money before traveling.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, banking, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 両 (ryō, both/a unit of old currency) and 替 (gae/kae, exchange/replace). Originally 'exchanging ryō coins' — swapping one form of money for another.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal