代替 dàitì to replace
to replace; to take the place of
How to remember 代替: 代 era + 替 to change = to replace.
Characters
How it is used
- To replace / substitute for - 用机器代替人工 (yòng jīqì dàitì réngōng) to replace manual labor with machines; 我代替他去 (wǒ dàitì tā qù) I'll go in his place.
- Contrast 代表 (dàibiǎo, to represent on behalf of) - 代替 means taking the other's place; 代表 means speaking/acting for them while they remain the principal.
- Also compare 替代 (tìdài, same meaning, more written/technical, as in 替代能源 alternative energy).
Example sentences
- 她用人造黄油代替了黄油。 Tā yòng rénzàohuángyóu dàitì le huángyóu.She substituted margarine for butter.
- 塑料代替了许多传统的原料。 Sùliào dàitì le xǔduō chuántǒng de yuánliào.Plastics have taken the place of many conventional materials.