掉换 (diào huàn) — to swap, to exchange, to replace

Definition

掉换 (diàohuàn) means 'to swap/exchange/replace,' typically used for tangible items, parts, or positions. Heavier and more concrete than 替换 (tìhuàn), which is more common for abstract replacements.

verb
to swapto exchangeto replace
Easily confused

Examples

  • 掉换。
    Wǒ xiǎng bǎ zhè běn shū diào huàn chéng nà běn.
    I want to swap this book for that one.
  • 掉换，。
    Tā men diào huàn le zuò wèi, yǐ biàn gèng hǎo dì jiāo liú.
    They swapped seats to communicate better.
  • 掉换。
    Zhè ge líng jiàn xū yào diào huàn yí gè xīn de.
    This part needs to be replaced with a new one.

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.

掉diàoexchange
换huànexchange

掉 and 换 both mean exchange, so 掉换 means to swap or replace something.

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
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
卓
卓zhuó掉diào
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

掉 is built from 扌 (a hand) and 卓, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 掉 →

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 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.