Translation guide
Expresses doing two or more actions in turn, switching back and forth, or alternating between states. In Japanese, this is often conveyed with adverbs like かわるがわる or 交互に, or with the pattern 〜たり〜たりする.
Describing two or more people or things doing something one after another, repeatedly.
Adverb meaning 'alternately' or 'in turn', often used when people take turns doing something.
私たちはかわるがわる運転した。
We drove alternately.
Adverb meaning 'alternately' or 'by turns', used for actions or arrangements that switch back and forth.
二人は交互に歌った。
The two sang alternately.
Verb pattern listing alternating actions. Implies doing things like A and B among other things, often used for alternating activities.
休みの日は本を読んだり、映画を見たりしています。
On my days off, I alternately read books and watch movies.
Kanji form of かわるがわる, same meaning and usage.
子供たちは代わる代わるブランコに乗った。
The children took turns on the swing alternately.
Describing something that switches between two different states, like emotions, weather, or settings.
Used with adjectives or stative verbs to indicate alternating states.
天気は暑かったり寒かったりします。
The weather is alternately hot and cold.
Can also be used for alternating states, especially when a clear switch occurs.
信号が交互に赤と青に変わる。
The signal changes alternately to red and green.
Describing things placed or arranged in alternating order, like layers of a cake or seating.
Used for physical arrangements where items alternate.
ケーキにクリームとフルーツを交互に重ねた。
I layered cream and fruit alternately on the cake.
Means 'every other one', implying alternation in a sequence.
一つおきに赤い花を植えた。
I planted red flowers alternately (every other one).