代换 (dài huàn) — to replace, to substitute

Definition

More technical/written than 换 (huàn) — used in math, science, and formal writing to mean substituting one element for another (variables, ions, parts).

verb
to replaceto substitute

Examples

  • 代换。
    Qǐng bǎ zhè ge líng jiàn dài huàn yí xià.
    Please replace this part.
  • ，代换。
    Zài fāng chéng zhōng, wǒ men kě yǐ yòng biàn liàng dài huàn fǎ jiǎn huà jì suàn.
    In equations, we can use variable substitution to simplify calculations.
  • 代换。
    Zhè ge fǎn yìng shì tōng guò lí zǐ dài huàn wán chéng de.
    This reaction is completed through ion substitution.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

代dàisubstitute
换huànreplace

“代” and “换” both convey substitution or change, so together they mean to replace.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
弋
弋yì代dài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 代, 亻 shows a person, and 弋 gives the sound.

Open 代 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 換; 换 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
奐
奐huàn換huàn
Same sound today

For the traditional form 換, 手 is the hand part and 奐 gives the sound; this note is about 換, not the simplified 换.

Open 换 →

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