Instead in Spanish || En Vez De & More

Q: What does en vez de mean in Spanish?

En vez de means “instead of” and is used to show substitution or preference for one thing over another. Example: Estudié en vez de salir. (“I studied instead of going out.”)

Q: Is there a difference between en vez de and en lugar de ?

They both mean “instead of” and are often interchangeable, though en lugar de can sound slightly more formal.

Q: How do I say just “instead” without saying “instead of”?

Use en cambio or en su lugar to say “instead” when not followed by a verb or noun. Example: Quería café, pero tomó té en cambio. (“He wanted coffee, but had tea instead.”)

Q: Are en vez de and en cambio interchangeable?

Not always. En vez de is for direct substitution, while en cambio is used more for contrast or comparison between two ideas.

Q: Do you provide Spanish classes ?

Yes, we do! You can learn Spanish online on our teaching platform, Flexi Classes . Study in group classes, individual classes or both, the curriculum includes all levels, and classes are available 24/7. Start with a 7 days free trial today!

Home B1 Instead in Spanish

HOW TO SAY INSTEAD IN SPANISH

Instead in Spanish, is expressed by replacing one thing with another or taking on a choice different from what was expected.

Prepositional phrases are formed by words that, when used jointly, take on the meaning and grammatical role of the simple preposition, which in the case of “instead” express substitution, preference, and exchange.

HOW TO USE “EN VEZ DE”

In Spanish, the prepositional phrase en vez de (instead of) is used to express substitution or preference, one instead of the other.

This expression is the most commonly used in everyday speech, although it is less formal than the other alternatives, it is equally valid when used in formal speech and writing.

PATTERN

En vez de + noun / infinitive verb

En vez de té, prefiero tomar café.	Instead of tea, I prefer to drink coffee.
Vamos de vacaciones en invierno en vez de en verano.	We are going on vacation in the winter instead of in the summer.

View More Examples:

Salimos en vez de quedarnos en casa.	We went outside instead of staying at home.
En vez de quejarnos, hagamos algo para arreglarlo.	Instead of complaining, let’s do something to fix it.
Vamos al parque en vez de ir al cine.	Let’s go the park instead of going to the movies.
En vez de poner tanta sal a la comida, intenta ponerle más especias.	Instead of putting so much salt on the food, try putting more spices.

HOW TO USE “EN LUGAR DE”

In Spanish, the prepositional phrase en lugar de translates to “in place of” or “instead of” and is synonymous with the expression en vez de.

However, en lugar de is more commonly used in formal contexts to describe substitution or replacing one thing with another—although it is equally valid when used in informal speech or writing.

PATTERN

En lugar de + noun / infinitive verb

Preferimos volver antes en lugar de quedarnos un día más.	We preferred to return sooner instead of staying another day.
Se reunieron por la tarde en lugar de por la mañana.	They met in the afternoon instead of in the morning.

View More Examples:

En lugar de dormir, mi hermano estuvo viendo la tele toda la noche.	Instead of sleeping, my brother was watching television all night.
Fui andando al colegio en lugar de coger el autobús.	I went walking to school instead of taking the bus.
En lugar de comer fuera, prefiero la comida casera.	Instead of eating out, I prefer homecooked meals.
Después de trabajar, me fui a casa en lugar de ir al gimnasio.	After work, I went home instead of going to the gym.

HOW TO USE “A CAMBIO DE”

PATTERN

A cambio de + noun

In Spanish, the prepositional phrase a cambio de translates to “in exchange for” or the more formal “in lieu of”. A cambio de is used to describe an exchange, trade, or something done or given in return for another.

The expression a cambio de is more about a transactional replacement and less about a substitution, unlike the other alternatives to “instead”, en vez de, and en lugar de.

Therefore, a cambio de suggests an exchange or a trade, where one thing is replaced for another with some form of compensation.

Te llevo a casa a cambio de que me acompañes al cine.	I will bring you home in exchange for accompanying me to the cinema.
Le presté mi coche a Juan a cambio de su moto.	I lent Juan my car in exchange for his motorcycle.

View More Examples:

A cambio de su tiempo, le dimos un descuento.	In exchange for his time, we gave him a discount.
Ella quiere un despacho con más luz natural a cambio de uno más grande.	She wants an office with more natural light in lieu of a bigger one.
Recibimos unas entradas gratis a cambio de nuestra colaboración.	We received some free tickets in exchange for our collaboration.
Te hago la comida a cambio de que me ayudes a ordenar mi habitación.	I will make you lunch in exchange for you helping me tidy up my room.

CONTEXTS OF USE

While the prepositional phrases in Spanish en vez de, en lugar de, and a cambio de are used to express substitution or exchange, they serve different purposes:

en vez de – is the most informal and commonly used in spoken language

en lugar de – is synonymous with en vez de and is more formal and commonly used in written language

a cambio de – has a transactional purpose, emphasizing trade or reciprocity, beyond a mere substitution or exchange

En vez de hacerme el desayuno, me compro un bocadillo.	Instead of making myself breakfast, I buy myself a sandwich.
Nos fuimos al pueblo de mi madre en lugar de irnos de vacaciones al extranjero.	We went to my mother’s small hometown instead of going on vacations abroad.
Su amigo nos pintó la casa a cambio de alojamiento gratis.	His friend painted the house in exchange for free boarding.
Quedamos para un café en vez de ir a comer.	We met for coffee instead of going for lunch.
En lugar de ir a la reunion, ella se quedó para acabar el informe.	Instead of going to the meeting, she stayed to finish the report.
Le dimos un aumento de sueldo a cambio de mayores responsabilidades.	He/She was given a salary increase in exchange for bigger responsibilities.

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FAQs

What does en vez de mean in Spanish?

En vez de means “instead of” and is used to show substitution or preference for one thing over another.

Example: Estudié en vez de salir. (“I studied instead of going out.”)

Is there a difference between en vez de and en lugar de?

They both mean “instead of” and are often interchangeable, though en lugar de can sound slightly more formal.

How do I say just “instead” without saying “instead of”?

Use en cambio or en su lugar to say “instead” when not followed by a verb or noun.

Example: Quería café, pero tomó té en cambio. (“He wanted coffee, but had tea instead.”)

Are en vez de and en cambio interchangeable?

Not always.

En vez de is for direct substitution, while en cambio is used more for contrast or comparison between two ideas.

Do you provide Spanish classes ?

Yes, we do!

You can learn Spanish online on our teaching platform, Flexi Classes.

Study in group classes, individual classes or both, the curriculum includes all levels, and classes are available 24/7.

Start with a 7 days free trial today!

Spanish Grammar Bank

HOW TO SAY INSTEAD IN SPANISH

HOW TO USE “EN VEZ DE”

PATTERN

HOW TO USE “EN LUGAR DE”

PATTERN

HOW TO USE “A CAMBIO DE”

PATTERN

CONTEXTS OF USE

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