取代

• Pinyin: qǔ dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 取 = 耳 + 又 (take/obtain — originally grasping an ear as a trophy); 代 = 亻+ 弋 (substitute/generation)

Meaning

To replace; to supersede; to take the place of something or someone, typically permanently.

被取代 (to be replaced) is a common passive construction. Frequently used in discussions of technology displacing jobs, new ideas replacing old ones, and competitive markets.

Examples

1. 人工智能的快速发展使许多人担忧自己的工作岗位将被机器所取代。 Rapid advances in AI have many people worried that their jobs will be replaced by machines.
2. 这款新型材料以其优越的性能逐步取代了传统的金属零部件。 Because of its superior performance, this new material is gradually replacing traditional metal components.
3. 随着时代进步，陈旧的观念正在被更为开放包容的价值理念所取代。 As society moves forward, outdated ideas are being replaced by more open and inclusive values.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, economics, social change, competition

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 流媒体平台的兴起已在很大程度上取代了传统实体影碟租赁行业的市场地位。(The rise of streaming platforms has largely replaced the traditional physical DVD rental industry's market position.)
• 可再生能源技术的持续突破将使其具备全面取代化石燃料的现实可能性。(Continuous breakthroughs in renewable energy technology will make it realistically possible to fully replace fossil fuels.)

Don't Say

• 我用新笔取代了旧笔 — use 换了 or 替换了 for simply swapping one object for another; 取代 implies a more significant or systematic substitution with lasting impact

Origin & History

取 (take/obtain) + 代 (substitute/replace) — to take and substitute something in place of another

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal