Translation guide
How to express the idea of swapping positions, exchanging roles, or moving to a different location in Japanese.
Two people exchange seats, spots, or standing positions.
Natural way to say 'change places' when two people swap seats or spots.
ちょっと場所を変わってもらえますか？
Could you change places with me for a moment?
I changed places with him.
Specifically for swapping seats. Slightly more formal than 場所を変わる.
窓側の席に替わりたいです。
I'd like to change to a window seat.
Emphasizes the act of swapping or replacing positions. Often used when two people or things exchange places.
二人が入れ替わって座った。
The two of them swapped seats.
Two people swap tasks, responsibilities, or roles.
Standard way to say 'change roles' or 'take turns' in a task.
運転を交代しましょう。
Let's change drivers (swap driving duties).
役割を交代して、私が料理をします。
Let's swap roles, and I'll cook.
Similar to 交代, but often used for shifts or periodic replacement.
昼休みに交替で休憩を取る。
We take breaks in shifts during lunch.
One person or thing moves from one place to another.
To move something or oneself to another place. Transitive.
会議の場所を移しましょう。
Let's change the meeting place.
General verb for moving or relocating. Can be used for people or objects.
次の会場に移動してください。
Please move to the next venue.
To move house or relocate to a new area.
Standard verb for moving house.
来月、東京に引っ越します。
I'm moving to Tokyo next month.
Formal term for changing residence, often used in official contexts.
転居の手続きをしました。
I completed the procedures for moving.
変わる (かわる) is the general 'change'. 替わる (かわる) implies swapping or replacing one thing with another. 代わる (かわる) means substituting or acting on behalf of someone. For 'change places' with a person, 替わる or 変わる are common, but 代わる can be used if you are taking someone's place in a role.
彼と席を替わった。
I swapped seats with him.
私が代わりに会議に出ます。
I'll attend the meeting in his place.
場所を変える (ばしょをかえる) means to change the location of something, not to swap places with someone. Use 場所を変わる (intransitive) or 場所を替わる for swapping.
会場の場所を変える。
Change the venue location.