← IDIOMS · NATURE
HSK 6
xīn新newchén陈olddài代replacexiè谢supersede
Metabolism; the new replaces the old.

Literal meaning

new (新) — old (陈) — replace (代) — supersede (谢)

Origin

Originally a biological term, now used more broadly to describe renewal and change.

Examples

xīn新chén陈dài代xiè谢shì是shēng生wù物de的jī基běn本tè特zhēng征。
Metabolism is a basic characteristic of living things.
shè社huì会yě也zài在bù不duàn断xīn新chén陈dài代xiè谢。
Society is also constantly renewing itself.

Usage & nuances

Can refer to biological processes or broader societal changes.

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