175
代
Generation, Substitute, Cost
か(わる) (kawaru), か(える) (kaeru), よ (yo)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
Why does 代 mean both substitute and cost? The connection is surprisingly logical. In 代金 (だいきん), meaning "price/cost," the money you pay is essentially a replacement for the goods or service you received. 🛍️ You give money in place of the thing's value. So when Japanese says 代金を払う, you're literally paying the "substitute money." One kanji connects the idea of taking someone's place with the money that takes the place of what you received.
Memory Trick
🔄 One person steps aside while another takes his place—that's 代: substitute or replace.
Readings
Onyomi: ダイ (dai), タイ (tai)
Kunyomi: か(わる) (kawaru), か(える) (kaeru), よ (yo)
Example Words
時代
じだい (jidai)
Era
代わり
かわり (kawari)
Replacement
現代
げんだい (gendai)
Modern age
電気代
でんきだい (denkidai)
Electricity bill
Example Sentence
今は インターネットの 時代です。
いまは インターネットの じだいです。
ima wa intaanetto no jidai desu
This is the age of the internet.