Finnish edit

Etymology edit

sen (of it) + sijaan (in the stead of, in lieu)

Adverb edit

sen sijaan

  1. instead (in the place of something; as a substitute or alternative)
    Olin menossa ostoksille, mutta meninkin sen sijaan tanssimaan.
    I was going to go shopping, but I went dancing instead.
    Sen sijaan, että olisin mennyt ostoksille, meninkin tanssimaan.
    Instead of going to shop, I went to dance.

Further reading edit