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取代 (qǔ dài) — to replace, to supplant; (chemistry) substitution

Definition

取代 is a formal written verb meaning one thing takes the place of another, often in a process or system. 比 替换 and 代替 more formal, and unlike 更换, it does not imply the original is worn out.

verb
to replaceto supplant(chemistry) substitution

Examples

  • 取代。
    Zhè ge xīn xì tǒng jiāng qǔ dài jiù xì tǒng.
    This new system will replace the old system.
  • 取代。
    Kē jì de jìn bù ràng jī qì rén zhú jiàn qǔ dài rén gōng láo dòng.
    Technological progress is gradually making robots replace manual labor.
  • ，取代。
    Zài huà xué zhōng, yì zhǒng wù zhì kě yǐ qǔ dài lìng yì zhǒng wù zhì.
    In chemistry, one substance can replace another.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

取qǔtake
代dàireplace

取 means to take and 代 means to substitute, so together they express taking the place of something.

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 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Change & Process

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