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新陈代谢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
新陈代谢xīnchéndàixièmetabolism (biology)HSK 7, i, 37 strokes, rank #18624, Very Hard
新陈代谢xīnchéndàixièthe new replaces the old (idiom)HSK 7, i, 37 strokes, rank #18624, Very Hard
xīnchéndàixiè(xin1chen2dai4xie4)xin chen dai xie T1
  1. 1metabolism (biology)
  2. 2the new replaces the old (idiom)
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March 24, 2026

新陈代谢(新陳代謝)xīnchéndàixiè(xin1chen2dai4xie4)

新陈代谢 refers to the biological process of metabolism, where substances are transformed and exchanged within living organisms. Additionally, it is used idiomatically to express the concept that new things replace old ones, symbolizing renewal and change in various contexts, such as culture or technology.

Strokes37Frequency#18624DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the idea of renewal is significant, often represented in traditions such as the New Year, where old items are discarded to make way for new ones. 新陈代谢 encapsulates this cultural value of embracing change and progress in society.

Memory Tip

Picture a cycle where the old, tired leaves fall from a tree (陈) and new, vibrant ones (新) sprout in their place. The process of this transformation is like a continuous flow (代谢), where the old makes way for the new, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation of 新陈代谢.

Meanings of 新陈代谢

xīnchéndàixiè(xin1chen2dai4xie4)
1metabolism (biology)
2the new replaces the old (idiom)
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About 新陈代谢

新陈代谢Simplified
新陳代謝Traditional
37Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#18624Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 新陈代谢

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Podcast: 新陈代谢

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AI Study Notes for 新陈代谢

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 新陈代谢 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in scientific discussions or when referring to societal changes. A common mistake is confusing it with related terms; for example, using it interchangeably with just 代谢, which refers specifically to metabolism without the connotation of new replacing old.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 term, 新陈代谢 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to biology and change. Focus on understanding its dual meanings in both biological and metaphorical contexts to enhance comprehension and usage in discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 新陈代谢 by applying it only in biological contexts without recognizing its idiomatic meaning. A wrong usage would be saying '我的新陈代谢很快' ('My metabolism is fast') when referring to personal growth; instead, use '我的成长很快' ('My growth is fast').

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 新陈代谢

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Idiom Spotlight: 新陈代谢

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:new old replace metabolize

Component Characters

新xīnnew
HSK 113 strokes斤
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陈chénvassal state during the Spring and Autumn Period 770-475 BC
7 strokes阝
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代dàito substitute
HSK 55 strokes亻
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谢xièto thank
HSK 112 strokes讠
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How to say metabolism (biology) in Chinese

“metabolism (biology)” in Chinese is新陈代谢xīnchéndàixiè

新陈代谢 refers to the biological process of metabolism, where substances are transformed and exchanged within living organisms. Additionally, it is used idiomatically to express the concept that new things replace old ones, symbolizing renewal and change in various contexts, such as culture or technology.

When to use 新陈代谢

Be mindful that 新陈代谢 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in scientific discussions or when referring to societal changes. A common mistake is confusing it with related terms; for example, using it interchangeably with just 代谢, which refers specifically to metabolism without the connotation of new replacing old.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 新陈代谢 by applying it only in biological contexts without recognizing its idiomatic meaning. A wrong usage would be saying '我的新陈代谢很快' ('My metabolism is fast') when referring to personal growth; instead, use '我的成长很快' ('My growth is fast').

Write 新陈代谢

新
陈
代
谢

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Grammar Patterns of 新陈代谢

新陈代谢 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

经过数年的节食, 卡罗尔的____完全紊乱了.

After years of dieting, Carol's metabolism was completely out of whack.

Example Sentences for 新陈代谢 (1)

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1
经过数年的节食, 卡罗尔的新陈代谢完全紊乱了.

jīng guò shù nián de jié shí, , kǎ luó ěr de xīn chén dài xiè wán quán wěn luàn.

After years of dieting, Carol's metabolism was completely out of whack.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 新陈代谢

It literally translates to 'new old replace metabolism', emphasizing the renewal process.

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