B1 verb Formal

取而代之

/tɕʰɥỳ.ɻɻ̩̂.tâɪ.tʂɨ́/

To replace or supersede something. It describes the process where a new thing takes the place of an old one, common in technological evolution discussions.

Examples

3 of 5
1

随着科技发展,机器人可能会取而代之部分人工。

With technological development, robots may replace some manual labor.

2

电子支付正在取而代之现金交易。

Electronic payment is replacing cash transactions.

3

他生病了,由另一位演员取而代之。

He fell ill, and another actor took his place.

Word Family

Verb
取而代之
💡

Memory Tip

取 (Take) 而 (And) 代 (Replace) 之 (It). Take its place and replace it.

Quick Quiz

电子邮件早已___了手写信件。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 取而代之

Examples

1

随着科技发展,机器人可能会取而代之部分人工。

academic

With technological development, robots may replace some manual labor.

2

电子支付正在取而代之现金交易。

business

Electronic payment is replacing cash transactions.

3

他生病了,由另一位演员取而代之。

everyday

He fell ill, and another actor took his place.

4

新的观点逐渐取而代之了旧的理论。

academic

New viewpoints gradually replaced the old theories.

5

在线教育会不会取而代之传统学校?

formal

Will online education replace traditional schools?

Word Family

Verb
取而代之

Common Collocations

被取而代之 to be replaced by
逐渐取而代之 gradually replace

Common Phrases

取代

to replace

Often Confused With

取而代之 vs 取代

取代 is a simple verb; 取而代之 is a more formal idiom that emphasizes the process of taking over.

📝

Usage Notes

Often used in the passive form '被...取而代之'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Do not use it for temporary substitutions; it implies a more permanent or structural replacement.

💡

Memory Tip

取 (Take) 而 (And) 代 (Replace) 之 (It). Take its place and replace it.

📖

Word Origin

From the 'Records of the Grand Historian' regarding Xiang Yu's ambition to replace the Emperor.

Grammar Patterns

[New Thing] + 取而代之 + [Old Thing] [Old Thing] + 被 + [New Thing] + 取而代之
🌍

Cultural Context

Originates from a famous historical ambition in the Qin dynasty.

Quick Quiz

电子邮件早已___了手写信件。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 取而代之

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