替

• Pinyin: tì
• Hanzi breakdown: 替 = 夫夫 (two men) + 日 (day), one person substituting for another

Meaning

To substitute for; to take the place of (V); for; on behalf of; in place of (Prep). Describes doing something instead of someone else or acting in their place.

As a verb, 替 means to fill in for or take someone's place (e.g., 替他上课 — take his class for him). As a preposition, it introduces the person on whose behalf an action is done (e.g., 替他道歉 — apologise on his behalf). Similar to 为, but 替 specifically emphasises substitution or replacement.

Examples

1. 他今天有事，我来替他上这节课。 He has something on today, so I'm taking his class for him.
2. 请替我向你父母问好。 Please send my regards to your parents on my behalf.
3. 你为什么要替别人承担责任？ Why should you take on responsibility on behalf of someone else?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work, social

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我替你去取快递吧，你不用跑一趟了。(Let me pick up the parcel for you — you don't need to make the trip.)
• 大家都替他感到非常高兴。(Everyone is very happy on his behalf.)

Don't Say

• 把'替'用于表示因果关系 (Don't use 替 to express cause-and-effect — use 因为…所以 or 由于 for causal relationships)

Origin & History

替 is composed of two 夫 (men) above 日 (day/sun), depicting one person taking the place of another in the same role on a given day.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal