Instead

むしろ

Means “instead” or “rather”.

Example

むしろ自転車じてんしゃで行こうと思います。 I think I’d rather go by bike.

代わりに

V

い-Adj

な-Adj + な

N + の

+ 代わりに

代かわりに means “instead of”, “in exchange for”. Generally used about things. Does not have a notion of replacing in a temporal transition, more like a one off occurrence.

Examples

今朝けさ自転車じてんしゃの代わりに地下鉄ちかてつで行きました。 I took the train this morning instead of biking.

にかわって・にかわり

Means “instead of”. Generally used about persons. Also has a notion of “taking over” as in replacing in a temporal transition. にかわり is more formal than にかわって. Used with nouns.

Examples

私わたしに代わって妹いもうとが行いった。 My sister went in my behalf.