替班 (tì bān) — to fill in for someone (at work); to work a temporary shift for a colleague

Definition

A separable verb meaning to cover a coworker's shift or fill in for them at work. Often used in the form 替…班 with the colleague's name or role between the two characters (e.g. 替老张的班).

verb
to fill in for someone (at work)to work a temporary shift for a colleague

Examples

  • ，替班？
    Míng tiān wǒ shēng bìng, nǐ néng bù néng bāng wǒ tì bān?
    I'm sick tomorrow — can you cover my shift for me?
  • 。
    Tā jīn tiān tì le lǎo zhāng de bān.
    He filled in for Old Zhang today.
  • 替班，？
    Wǒ men bù mén xū yào yí gè rén tì bān, nǐ yuàn yì ma?
    Our department needs someone to cover a shift — are you willing?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

替tìreplace
班bānshift

替 conveys replacing, and 班 conveys a shift, so someone fills another person's working period.

Characters in this word

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

替 combines 竝, two figures side by side, with 曰; the picture shows those figures changing places.

Open 替 →

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

  • 珏珏juépieces of jade
  • 刀刀dāoknife

班 shows 珏, pieces of jade, and 刀, a knife, cutting them into pieces.

Open 班 →

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