-(으)ㄴ/는 대신(에)
instead of; in exchange
Level 3 · Connective
Explanation
Replacing one action with another, or an advantage that offsets a drawback. Present verbs take 는 대신, past verbs and adjectives (으)ㄴ 대신; nouns take 대신.
Examples
오늘은 외식하는 대신에 집에서 요리해요.
Instead of eating out today, let's cook at home.
이 집은 좁은 대신 역에서 가까워요.
This place is small, but it's close to the station.
제가 숙제를 도와준 대신 친구가 밥을 샀어요.
I helped with homework, and my friend bought dinner in return.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 1–2, 3–4.