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交替 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
交替jiāotìto replaceHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #20021, Very Hard
交替jiāotìalternatelyHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #20021, Very Hard
交替jiāotìin turnHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #20021, Very Hard
jiāotì(jiao1ti4)jiao ti T1
  1. 1to replace
  2. 2alternately
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March 24, 2026

交替jiāotì(jiao1ti4)

交替 (jiāo tì) refers to the action of alternating or taking turns between two or more entities. It is commonly used in contexts such as shifts at work, seasons, or any situation where there is a replacement or rotation of roles or activities.

Strokes18Frequency#20021DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of alternating seasons is significant, as it reflects the harmony in nature and the importance of balance, which is often celebrated in traditional festivals.

Memory tip

Think of 交 (jiāo) as 'to cross' and 替 (tì) as 'to replace', like crossing out one thing and replacing it with another. Imagine a relay race where runners cross paths, taking turns to pass the baton.

Meanings of 交替

jiāotì(jiao1ti4)
1to replace
2alternately
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 交替

交替Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 交替

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AI study notes for 交替

Quick Contrast

交替 (alternate) vs 替换 (replace) — use 交替 when emphasizing the act of taking turns, while 替换 focuses on substitution or replacement.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 交替 with 交往 (jiāo wǎng), which means 'to socialize'. Remember that 交替 is about alternation or replacement. It's more common in formal contexts, so be mindful of the setting in which you use it.

HSK Study Tips

While 交替 is not a specific HSK vocabulary word, it is relevant for HSK 4 and above learners, as it can be connected to other words related to time and sequence. Focus on understanding its usage in both written and spoken forms.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mix up 交替 with 交替的方式 (jiāo tì de fāng shì), mistakenly using it to refer to a static situation. The correct usage should focus on the dynamic aspect of replacing or alternating. For example, saying '我们交替的方式是...' is incorrect; instead, use '我们交替进行...' to emphasize the action.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 交替

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Component characters

交jiāoto hand over
HSK 46 strokes亠
View full entry
替tìto substitute for
HSK 512 strokes曰
View full entry

How to say to replace in Chinese

“to replace” in Chinese is交替jiāotì

交替 (jiāo tì) refers to the action of alternating or taking turns between two or more entities. It is commonly used in contexts such as shifts at work, seasons, or any situation where there is a replacement or rotation of roles or activities.

When to use 交替

Learners often confuse 交替 with 交往 (jiāo wǎng), which means 'to socialize'. Remember that 交替 is about alternation or replacement. It's more common in formal contexts, so be mindful of the setting in which you use it.

交替 or something close to it

交替 (alternate) vs 替换 (replace) — use 交替 when emphasizing the act of taking turns, while 替换 focuses on substitution or replacement.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes mix up 交替 with 交替的方式 (jiāo tì de fāng shì), mistakenly using it to refer to a static situation. The correct usage should focus on the dynamic aspect of replacing or alternating. For example, saying '我们交替的方式是...' is incorrect; instead, use '我们交替进行...' to emphasize the action.

Write 交替

交
替

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Frequently asked questions about 交替

While it is more common in formal settings, it can also be used in everyday conversations when discussing routines or schedules.

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