代
KanjiJLPT N4
Substitute
substitute, change, convert, replace, period, age, counter for decades of ages, eras, etc., generation, charge, rate, fee
Mnemonic
A substitute teacher walks into class and writes 代 on the board. 'I am your substitute,' she declares. Picture her stepping into the previous teacher's shoes—every generation is a substitute for the last, one era yielding so the next can take its place.
Additional thoughts
The radical and keyword are identical. Visualize a substitute teacher writing 代 on the chalkboard to cement the connection. Each generation substitutes for the prior one—an endless relay of stand-ins.Quick recall
A substitute teacher writes 代 on the board—she IS the substitute, one generation replacing the last.Details
The keyword for 代 is substitute. This kanji conveys the idea of taking the place of something or someone else, acting as a replacement or stand-in. By extension, it also carries the meaning of a generation or an era, since each generation substitutes for the one before it. It is further used to express the concept of a price or fee, as money serves as a substitute for the value of goods or services.
- On'yomi
- だい、たい
- Kun'yomi
- か.わる、かわ.る、かわ.り、か.わり、-がわ.り、-が.わり、か.える、よ、しろ