取而代之

qǔ'ér-dàizhī

idiom HSK 7-9 #15,151

Meanings

1 to replace
2 to take the place of
3 to supplant

Characters

to replace; to substitute

it; this (classical)

Literally 'take it and replace it' - to supplant

Examples

HSK 3

新技术很快会取而代之。

Xīn jìshù hěnkuài huì qǔ'érdàizhī.

New technology will soon take its place.

HSK 7-9

传统信件已经被电子邮件取而代之。

Chuántǒng xìnjiàn yǐjīng bèi diànzǐ yóujiàn qǔ'ér-dàizhī.

Traditional letters have been replaced by email.

Tips

history

This idiom originates from the Records of the Grand Historian (《史记》). Xiang Yu saw the Qin emperor's procession and said '彼可取而代也' - 'I could take his place.'

grammar

Often used as 'A取而代之' or 'A被B取而代之'. Can also stand alone when the replaced thing is clear from context.

Stroke Order

取 qǔ

而 ér

代 dài

之 zhī