-(으)ㄴ/는 대신(에) means "instead of" or "in exchange for."
Substitution - 밥 대신 빵을 먹었어요 (ate bread instead of rice)
Compensation - 도와준 대신 밥 사줄게 (Ill buy food in exchange for help)
Trade-off - One thing for another
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
With nouns: N 대신(에)
With verbs: V-(으)ㄴ/는 대신(에)
I took the bus instead of a taxi.
Instead of resting on the weekend, I will take a day off during the week.
Please give me a cup of warm green tea instead of coffee.
In exchange for the salary being low, it is very close to my house.
Find real examples
Discover this pattern in manga, dramas & more
Save for spaced repetition
Add sentences to your study deck
Practice -(으)ㄴ/는 대신(에) and other grammar patterns with manga, dramas, and more.
Start learning free