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改朝換代

简改朝换代 · 繁改朝換代

Mandarin · pinyin gǎi cháo huàn dài

to transition to a new dynasty or regime

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Characters in this entry

改: gǎi · change, alter; improve, remodel
朝: cháo · dynasty; morning
換: huàn · change, exchange; substitute
代: dài · replace, replacement (of person or generation); era, generation
换: huàn · change

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

3–2–4–4 · gai3 chao2 huan4 dai4

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

改朝換代 · find source passages ↗ · 改朝换代 · find source passages ↗

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to have a change of dynasty or regime

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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