接替

• Pinyin: jiē tì
• Hanzi breakdown: 接 = to receive, connect; 替 = 夫 (man) doubled + 日 — to replace, substitute

Meaning

To replace; to take over from. Succeeding someone in a position or role.

Used when one person replaces another in a position, role, or duty. Emphasizes the transition from one person to another. More formal than 代替 and implies a more permanent or official changeover.

Examples

1. 新任部长将于下月正式接替前任的职务。 The new minister will officially take over from his predecessor next month.
2. 他因病退休后，由副手接替了他的工作。 After he retired due to illness, his deputy took over his work.
3. 公司正在寻找合适的人选接替即将离任的首席财务官。 The company is looking for a suitable candidate to replace the outgoing Chief Financial Officer.

Usage Guide

Context: work, leadership, succession

Tone: official

Do Say

• 谁来接替他的职位？(Who will take over his position?)
• 她接替了退休的张主任。(She replaced Director Zhang who retired.)

Don't Say

• 用'接替'描述临时代替 (Don't use 接替 for temporary substitution — use 代替 or 暂代; 接替 implies permanent succession)

Origin & History

Composed of 接 (to receive; to continue) + 替 (to replace; to substitute). Together they describe the process of one person taking over from another.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional contexts