How do I talk about "substitution" in Chinese? “替” “换” means “take the place of”, “代” means “represent”. 1.A取代B （Because A is more important than B and it’s permanent) Example: 现代花灯制作用灯泡取代蜡烛。 Light bulbs becomes mainstream taking the place of candles and this replacement is permanent and for all in general. 2.A 代替 B 他做花灯时用灯泡代替蜡烛。 He chooses to use a light bulb instead of a candle maybe because candles are not available at present or any other reason. This is just temporary. 3.A 替代 B (permanent, but not because A is more important. Just think “substitutable products 可替代产品”) 人们用更为平价的产品替代它。(people replace it with some cheaper products. 4 A 接替 B (take over; succeed; A continues the work when B doesn’t do it anymore.) 这学期小红接替了小华的班长职务。 (小红 becomes the new monitor this semester.) 5 A 替换 B (A and B should be in exactly the same kind. 我们要注意个人卫生，经常替换衣服。(替换衣服-change clothes.)