替 (tì) — (verb) to replace, to substitute for; (preposition) for, on behalf of
Definition
替 (tì) as a preposition means 'on behalf of / for (someone)' — like 给 but more formal. As a verb, it means 'to replace' (a person or thing), the short form of 代替.
verb
to replaceto substitute for
preposition
foron behalf of
Easily confused
Examples
- 替？Nǐ néng tì wǒ zhí bān ma?Can you cover my shift for me?
- 替。Tā tì dà jiā mǎi le kā fēi.He bought coffee for everyone.
- 替。Wǒ tì nǐ gǎn dào gāo xìng.I feel happy for you.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
- 竝竝bìng
- 曰曰yuē
替 combines 竝, two figures side by side, with 曰; the picture shows those figures changing places.
Appears in
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