改朝换代 (gǎi cháo huàn dài) — dynastic change, regime change (replacement of one ruling dynasty or government by another)

Definition

Idiom literally meaning 'change dynasty, swap era', used for a wholesale transfer of political power. Mostly historical, but can be applied metaphorically to any leadership shake-up (e.g. a company).

idiom
dynastic changeregime change (replacement of one ruling dynasty or government by another)

Examples

  • 改朝换代
    Zhōng guó lì shǐ shàng jīng lì guò hěn duō cì gǎi cháo huàn dài.
    Chinese history has experienced many dynastic changes.
  • CEO改朝换代
    Zhè ge gōng sī huàn le CEO, jiù xiàng gǎi cháo huàn dài yí yàng.
    This company changed its CEO — it's like a regime change.
  • 改朝换代
    Lǎo bǎi xìng zuì pà gǎi cháo huàn dài dài lái de dòng dàng.
    Common people fear the turmoil brought by dynastic change the most.

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