取とって代かわる

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Meanings

1

intransitive verb, godan verb (-ru)

supplant; supersede; replace; take the place of

Used when one thing or person takes over the role, position, or function of another, often implying a shift in dominance or replacement over time.

新あたらしい技ぎ術じゅつが古ふるい方ほう法ほうに取とって代かわった。
New technology has supplanted the old methods.

彼かれは前ぜん任にん者しゃに取とって代かわる実じつ力りょくがある。

He has the ability to take the place of his predecessor.

Written forms

取とって代かわる
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
とって代かわる
Kana spelling for the first part; less common but still used.

Kanji

取take, fetch, take up
代substitute, change, convert

Similar words

代かわる
代わる is a general verb for 'to substitute' or 'to take someone's place,' while 取って代わる emphasizes supplanting or superseding, often with a nuance of one thing overtaking another.
入いれ替かわる
入れ替わる focuses on physical or positional replacement, like swapping places, whereas 取って代わる is about functional or authoritative replacement.

Etymology

Compound of 取って (te-form of 取る, 'to take') + 代わる ('to replace'). The literal sense is 'to take and replace,' which developed into the meaning of supplanting or superseding.