代 (dài) - to substitute & to replace

代Tone 4

dài ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 亻

橙丁

代 · dài

to substitute;

to replace;

generation;

era;

dynasty;

acting;

historical period;

to represent

to substituteto replacegeneration

Usage highlights

representativegenerationdynastysubstituteagentmodern times

Synonyms

  • 替— to substitute; to replace
  • 世— generation; era
  • 朝— dynasty; court

Antonyms

  • 本— original; primary
  • 原— original; primary

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He represents our company (代表 our company).
  • This is the younger generation (年轻一代).
  • The Tang dynasty was prosperous (唐朝 was prosperous).
  • She is acting manager (代理经理).

Collocations

  • representative(代表)
  • generation(一代)
  • dynasty(朝代)
  • substitute(代替)
  • agent(代理)
  • modern times(现代)

Idioms

  • To pass on from generation to generation(代代相传)
  • To act on behalf of another(越俎代庖)
  • To substitute the personal for the relative(李代桃僵)
  • To update with the times(与时俱进)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used to denote dynastic periods in Chinese history (e.g., 唐代, 宋代).
  • In modern context, refers to generations and eras (e.g., 现代, 年轻一代).
  • Common in business and legal contexts for representation and substitution.

FAQ