replace

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 替 has 12 strokes and refers to replacing an existing person or thing with another.
• Basic usage: 替える is read かえる, and 替わる is read かわる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Replacing something and being replaced
  • カーテンを替える describes replacing the curtains. In 新しいものに替えた, に marks the new item used as a replacement.
  • In 担当者が新人に替わる, the person in charge is replaced; が marks the position's current holder being replaced.