instead of, in place of, as a substitute for
in exchange for, in return for, to make up for
Verb / い-Adjective informal form +
Used with informal verbs and い-Adjectives. With verbs, it means doing one action instead of another, or doing something in return to balance things out. With い-Adjectives, it expresses a trade-off or balance, where one quality compensates for another.
Verb informal form +
Attaches directly to the informal (dictionary or past) form of a verb to express substitution or compensation.
歩いて帰る
Instead of walking home, I took a taxi.
英語を教える
I will learn Japanese in exchange for teaching English.
い-Adjective informal form +
Attaches directly to the informal form of an い-Adjective to show a compensating trait.
このパソコンは高い
This computer is expensive, but to make up for it, it is very fast.
When used with verbs, it can mean a direct substitution (not doing A, but doing B) or a compensation (doing A as repayment for B). With adjectives, it almost always means compensation (A is true, but balancing it out, B is true).
な-Adjective stem + な / だった +
Used with な-Adjectives to show a balance or trade-off between two states. Use 'な' for present or future states and 'だった' for past states.
な-Adjective stem + な +
Attaches to the な-Adjective stem with 'な' in the present tense.
このアパートは静かな
This apartment is quiet, but to make up for it, it is far from the station.
な-Adjective stem + だった +
Attaches to the な-Adjective stem with 'だった' in the past tense.
あのホテルは不便だった
That hotel was inconvenient, but to make up for it, it was very cheap.
Similar to い-Adjectives, this usage highlights a trade-off. A positive trait is usually balanced by a negative trait, or vice versa.
Noun + の / だった +
Used with nouns either to substitute one thing for another using 'の', or to show a past trade-off using 'だった'.
Noun + の +
Used to express 'in place of' or 'instead of' a noun.
砂糖の
I will use honey instead of sugar.
社長の
I will attend the meeting in place of the company president.
Noun + だった +
Used to show a past trade-off regarding a noun state.
昨日は休みだった
Yesterday was a day off, so to make up for it, I will work late today.
Using 'の' is the most common way to express pure substitution (using one item or person instead of another). Do not use the present tense copula 'だ' before