This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

我が家ではバターのかわりにマーガリンを使う。

Sentence Analyzer

我が家 ばたー かわり マーガリン 使う

English Translation

We substitute margarine for butter.

Furigana

()()ではバターのかわりにマーガリンを使(つか)う。

Romanji

Wagaya de wa bata- no kawari ni ma-garin o tsukau.

Words

我が家 (わがや、わがいえ)
one's house; one's home; one's family
(で、にて)
indicates location of action; at; in; indicates time of action; indicates means of action; cause of effect; by; and then; so; indicates continuing action; indicates certainty, emphasis, etc.
()
topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis
バター (バター)
butter
()
indicates possessive; nominalizes verbs and adjectives; substitutes for "ga" in subordinate phrases; (at sentence-end, falling tone) indicates a confident conclusion; (at sentence-end) indicates emotional emphasis; (at sentence-end, rising tone) indicates question
換わり (かわり)
an exchange transaction
()
at (place, time); in; on; during; to (direction, state); toward; into; for (purpose); because of (reason); for; with; by; from; as (i.e. in the role of); per; in; for; a (e.g. "once a month"); and; in addition to; if; although
マーガリン (マーガリン)
margarine
()
indicates direct object of action; indicates subject of causative expression; indicates an area traversed; indicates time (period) over which action takes place; indicates point of departure or separation of action; indicates object of desire, like, hate, etc.
使う (つかう)
to use (a thing, method, etc.); to make use of; to put to use; to use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.); to employ; to handle; to manage; to manipulate; to use (time, money, etc.); to spend; to consume; to use (language); to speak

Kanji

Readings: ガ、 われ、 わ、 わ.が-、 わが-
Meanings: ego, I, selfish, our, oneself
Readings: カ、 ケ、 いえ、 や、 うち
Meanings: house, home, family, professional, expert, performer
使
Readings: シ、 つか.う、 つか.い、 -つか.い、 -づか.い
Meanings: use, send on a mission, order, messenger, envoy, ambassador, cause