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取而代之 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
取而代之qǔ’érdàizhīto substitute for sbHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #15151, Very Hard
取而代之qǔ’érdàizhīto remove and replaceHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #15151, Very Hard
qǔ’érdàizhī(qu3er2dai4zhi1)qu er dai zhi T3
  1. 1to substitute for sb
  2. 2to remove and replace
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March 24, 2026

取而代之qǔ’érdàizhī(qu3er2dai4zhi1)

The idiom 取而代之 means to remove someone or something and replace it with another. It is often used in contexts where a person or an object is substituted for another, indicating a change in position or role.

Strokes22Frequency#15151DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese politics and business, 取而代之 often reflects the concept of leadership change, which is significant in historical contexts such as dynastic transitions or corporate restructuring.

Memory tip

Imagine a scene where a king is removed from his throne and a new ruler takes his place. The characters 取 (to take) and 代 (to replace) visually remind you of this act of substitution, helping you remember the pronunciation 'qu er dai zhi'.

Meanings of 取而代之

qǔ’érdàizhī(qu3er2dai4zhi1)
1to substitute for sb
2to remove and replace
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About 取而代之

取而代之Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 取而代之

Quick Contrast

替代 (tìdài) vs 取而代之 — use 取而代之 when emphasizing the act of replacing someone or something in a specific context, while 替代 is more general for substitution.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; the first character 取 should be pronounced with a third tone, not incorrectly as second tone. This idiom is more formal and commonly used in written language than in everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 取而代之 is not in the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words related to change and substitution, such as 代 (dai) and 替 (ti). Focus on understanding its usage in formal contexts to enhance fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce the tones, leading to confusion. For example, saying 'qu er dai zhi' with wrong tones can change the meaning or render it incomprehensible. Always remember to use the correct third tone for 取.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 取而代之

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Component characters

取qǔto take
HSK 48 strokes又
View full entry
而érand
HSK 46 strokes而
View full entry
代dàito substitute
HSK 55 strokes亻
View full entry
之zhī(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])
HSK 43 strokes丿
View full entry

How to say to substitute for sb in Chinese

“to substitute for sb” in Chinese is取而代之qǔ’érdàizhī

The idiom 取而代之 means to remove someone or something and replace it with another. It is often used in contexts where a person or an object is substituted for another, indicating a change in position or role.

When to use 取而代之

Be cautious with the tone; the first character 取 should be pronounced with a third tone, not incorrectly as second tone. This idiom is more formal and commonly used in written language than in everyday conversation.

取而代之 or something close to it

替代 (tìdài) vs 取而代之 — use 取而代之 when emphasizing the act of replacing someone or something in a specific context, while 替代 is more general for substitution.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce the tones, leading to confusion. For example, saying 'qu er dai zhi' with wrong tones can change the meaning or render it incomprehensible. Always remember to use the correct third tone for 取.

Write 取而代之

取
而
代
之

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Frequently asked questions about 取而代之

While possible, 取而代之 is more suitable for formal writing or discussions about politics and organizational changes.

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