取而代之

• Pinyin: qǔ ér dài zhī
• Hanzi breakdown: 取 = 耳 + 又 (take); 而 = 而 (connective particle); 代 = 亻+ 弋 (replace); 之 = 之 (classical pronoun/particle)

Meaning

To take the place of; to oust and succeed; to displace something and assume its position. A four-character idiom.

Implies not just replacement but a deliberate seizure or assumption of another's position. Used for technology, social trends, or power transitions. Does not take verbal inflections like 了.

Examples

1. 随着数字媒体的崛起，传统纸质报纸逐渐被在线新闻平台取而代之。 With the rise of digital media, traditional print newspapers are gradually being replaced by online news platforms.
2. 他凭借卓越的业绩赢得了董事会信任，最终取而代之成为公司新任首席执行官。 Thanks to outstanding performance, he won the board’s trust and ultimately replaced his predecessor as the company’s new CEO.
3. 煤炭曾是主要能源，如今正被清洁能源技术逐步取而代之。 Coal used to be the main energy source, but it is now being steadily replaced by clean energy technologies.

Usage Guide

Context: technology trends, history, business, social change

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 移动支付的普及使传统现金交易在许多场景下迅速被取而代之，深刻改变了人们的日常消费习惯。(The widespread adoption of mobile payment rapidly replaced traditional cash transactions in many contexts, profoundly changing everyday consumption habits.)
• 随着量子计算研究的加速推进，现有的传统加密技术或将在未来数十年内被更先进的量子加密方案取而代之。(As quantum computing research accelerates, existing conventional encryption technology may be supplanted by more advanced quantum encryption solutions within the coming decades.)

Don't Say

• 我取而代之了他的位置 — do not use 取而代之了; as a classical idiom it does not take 了 or other verbal inflections; use 他被取而代之 or 取而代之成为…

Origin & History

取 (take) + 而 (and/then) + 代 (replace) + 之 (it/that) — classical: to take it and replace it

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal