359.代

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代

1. Meaning and Reading

  • substitute, replace, generation
  • Onyomi : だい, たい
  • Kunyomi : かわる

2. Kanji Explanation

  • 亻 : person
  • 弋 : weapon

A person (亻) holding a weapon (弋) stepping forward in place of another — symbolizing ‘to substitute’ or ‘generation’.

代 kanji meaning and mnemonic illustration

3. Example Words

代わる かわる
take the place of

I go in place of my father.

時代 じだい
era, period

A new era begins.

交代 こうたい
shift change, taking turns

The players change shifts.