取而代之

qǔérdàizhī

idiom HSK 7 #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

电子邮件已经取而代之了传统信件。

Diànzǐ yóujiàn yǐjīng qǔérdàizhī le chuántǒng xìnjiàn.

Email has replaced traditional letters.

新技术很快会取而代之。

Xīn jìshù hěn kuài huì qǔérdàizhī.

New technology will soon take its place.

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