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取而代之 (qǔ ér dài zhī) — (idiom) to replace (someone in a position); to supersede; to take the place of

Definition

A formal written idiom meaning 'to replace / supersede,' stronger and more literary than the plain verb 代替. Used for entities (companies, technologies, people in positions) being displaced, not for everyday substitution.

idiom
to replace (someone in a position)to supersedeto take the place of

Examples

  • 取而代之。
    Lǎo pái gōng sī bèi xīn xīng qǐ yè qǔ ér dài zhī.
    The established company was replaced by emerging enterprises.
  • 取而代之。
    Tā dān rèn de zhí wèi bù jiǔ jiù huì yǒu rén qǔ ér dài zhī.
    Someone will soon take over the position he holds.
  • 取而代之。
    Zhǐ zhì méi tǐ yǐ jīng zhú jiàn bèi shù zì méi tǐ qǔ ér dài zhī.
    Print media has gradually been superseded by digital media.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

取 pairs 又 (hand) with 耳 (ear), showing a hand taking an ear, as in taking the ear of fallen prey.

Open 取 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 而 is a picture of a beard.

Open 而 →

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 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Change & ProcessIdioms & Set Phrases

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