置换 (zhì huàn) — (general) to replace, to substitute; (chemistry) to displace (in a reaction); (mathematics) to permute

Definition

Formal/scientific verb meaning 'to replace, to substitute' — used in technical contexts (chemistry, mathematics) rather than daily speech. For everyday 'replace', learners will meet other words first.

verb
(general) to replaceto substitute(chemistry) to displace (in a reaction)(mathematics) to permute

Examples

  • 置换。
    Wǒ men xū yào zhì huàn zhè ge jiù líng jiàn.
    We need to replace this old part.
  • ，置换。
    Zài huà xué fǎn yìng zhōng, lǜ qì néng zhì huàn xiù.
    In chemical reactions, chlorine gas can displace bromine.
  • 置换。
    zhì huàn Qún shì shù xué zhōng de yí gè zhòng yào gài niàn.
    Permutation groups are an important concept in mathematics.

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.

置zhìput
换huànexchange

置, putting something in place, and 换, exchanging it, together mean replace or substitute.

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
罒Written in full as网wǎng
Sound part声符shēngfú
直
直zhí置zhì
Same sound today

置 is built from 罒, a net, on top and 直 below; 直 gives the sound.

Open 置 →

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 →
Appears in
MathPhysics & Chemistry

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