HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
to act on behalf of others
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
to replace
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
generation
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
dynasty
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
age
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
period
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
(historical) era
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
(geological) eon
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
代
dài
era, generation; to substitute for, to replace
HSK 5, q, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #1958, Medium
dài(dai4) T4
1to substitute
2to act on behalf of others
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March 24, 2026
代dài(dai4)
The character 代 (dài) primarily means 'to substitute' or 'to act on behalf of others.' It is commonly used in contexts where one person or thing replaces another, such as in the case of representatives or generations. Additionally, it can denote 'era' or 'dynasty' when referring to historical or geological time periods.
Strokes5Radical亻Frequency#1958DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The concept of代 (dài) reflects the importance of lineage and succession in Chinese culture, where dynasties and generations play a significant role in history. Understanding this term can provide insights into discussions about family heritage and historical periods.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'substitute teacher' standing in for the regular teacher. The character 代 resembles a person standing in for another, with the top part (亻) symbolizing a person. The pronunciation 'dài' can be remembered as 'die' (as in 'to replace').
Meanings of 代
dài(dai4)
1to substitute
2to act on behalf of others
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 代
代Simplified
5Strokes
亻Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1958Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3YCTL4HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 代
Podcast: 代
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AI Study Notes for 代
Quick Contrast
代理 (dàilǐ) - use 代 (dài) for general substitution, but choose 代理 (dàilǐ) specifically for formal representation or agency contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'substitute teacher' standing in for the regular teacher. The character 代 resembles a person standing in for another, with the top part (亻) symbolizing a person. The pronunciation 'dài' can be remembered as 'die' (as in 'to replace').
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 代 with other similar-sounding characters like 带 (dài), which means 'to bring' or 'to carry.' It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its nuances in historical discussions. Common collocations include 代替 (dàitì, to replace) and 时代 (shídài, era).
HSK Study Tips
While 代 is not explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 words like 时代 (era) and 代表 (representative). Students should focus on its various meanings and applications, especially in phrases related to generations and substitutions.
Cultural Note
The concept of代 (dài) reflects the importance of lineage and succession in Chinese culture, where dynasties and generations play a significant role in history. Understanding this term can provide insights into discussions about family heritage and historical periods.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 代 with 带 (dài). For example, saying '我带他去' (Wǒ dài tā qù) when they mean 'I will replace him' is incorrect; it should be '我代他去' (Wǒ dài tā qù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 代
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Grammar Patterns of 代
代 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Sock Shop was one of the high-street success stories of the 80s.
Cultural Notes for 代
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of代 (dài) reflects the importance of lineage and succession in Chinese culture, where dynasties and generations play a significant role in history. Understanding this term can provide insights into discussions about family heritage and historical periods.
Word Family of 代
Compounds14
袋dai4a pouch
黛dai4to blacken one's eyebrows; black
贷dai4to lend on interest
岱Dai4the Daishan mountain in Shandong
貸dai4to borrow; to lend; to pardon
垈
牮jian4to prop up
玳dai4tortoise shell
帒
柋
笩
蚮
鮘
鴏
Words Containing This Character20
代表dàibiǎodelegate
时代shídàiage時代
年代niándàiage
代dàito substitute
现代xiàndàimodern times現代
代价dàijiàprice代價
代替dàitìto replace
代理dàilǐsurrogate
现代化modernization現代化
取代qǔdàito replace
代码code代碼
替代tìdàito replace
代表团dàibiǎotuándelegation代表團
古代gǔdàiancient times
交代jiāodàito hand over
当代dāngdàithe present age當代
后代hòudàidescendant後代
代理人dàilǐrénagent
代号dàihàocode name代號
现代舞modern dance現代舞
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 袋 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 代
Both 代 (dài) and 替 (tì) can mean 'to substitute', but 代 emphasizes acting on behalf of someone, while 替 often conveys replacing one thing with another. For example, 代 is used in a more formal context, such as representing someone, whereas 替 might be used for physical replacements.
You can use 代 to express actions like substituting someone, for example: '我可以代你去' (Wǒ kěyǐ dài nǐ qù), meaning 'I can go on your behalf'. Additionally, it can be used in phrases referring to generations, such as '这一代' (zhè yī dài), meaning 'this generation'.
Yes, 代 can refer to time periods, such as '历史代' (lìshǐ dài), meaning 'historical era' or 'dynasty'. This use indicates different generations or ages in history, showing how the character encompasses both temporal and relational meanings.
代 (dài) translates to 'to substitute' or 'to act on behalf of others'. It can also refer to a 'generation' or 'dynasty'. This character is often used in various contexts, including discussing periods in history or representing someone in a task.
Common phrases include 代替 (dàitì, to replace) and 代表 (dàibiǎo, to represent).
You can use it like this: '他代我去参加会议' (Tā dài wǒ qù cānjiā huìyì), meaning 'He will attend the meeting on my behalf.'
Yes, 代 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing historical or generational topics.
