Chinese – First Language (9680) | 借代

📚 A-Level Chinese (9680) 修辞 Techniques: 借代 (Jièdài) Study Notes

Hi there! Welcome to the section on 修辞 (Xiūcí), or Rhetoric. This is where we learn how masterful writers use language tools to make their texts powerful, vivid, and memorable. Understanding these techniques is absolutely essential for both analyzing literature (Unit 3/4) and achieving high marks in your own writing.

Today, we are diving into 借代 (Jièdài)—a super useful tool often translated as Metonymy or Synecdoche. Don't worry if those English terms sound complicated! In Chinese, 借代 simply means ‘borrowing a name.’

Why is studying 借代 important?

• It makes your language incredibly concise (简洁).
• It helps you emphasize a specific characteristic (特征) of a person or thing.
• It is frequently used in poetry, news headlines, and formal speeches, so recognizing it will significantly improve your comprehension and textual analysis skills.

1. What is 借代 (Jièdài)? The Core Concept

1.1 Simple Definition

借代 (Jièdài) is a figure of speech where we do not directly name the person, object, or concept we are talking about. Instead, we use a closely associated or related thing to stand in for it.

Think of it like this: If your school nickname is "The Basketball Star," and someone shouts "Hey, Basketball Star, come here!"—they used a related characteristic (basketball) to refer to you (the person). That’s the idea of 借代.

Key Concept: 借代 relies on relationship or association (关联), not similarity.
The borrowed name (借体) and the actual thing (本体) must be naturally linked in reality.

1.2 Understanding the Mechanics

In every instance of 借代, there are two key elements:

• 借体 (Jiètǐ): The borrowed item or word used in the sentence.
• 本体 (Běntǐ): The actual item or concept being referred to (which is omitted).

Example: “笔杆子 (Bǐgănzi) 胜过枪杆子 (Qiānggănzi).”

• 借体 1 (笔杆子): The pen handle. (Stands for writers/scholars/intellectuals).
• 借体 2 (枪杆子): The gun handle. (Stands for military force/soldiers).
• Meaning: Intellectual power is greater than military force.

Quick Tip for Identification: If you can replace the word with the actual item it represents without changing the meaning, it’s probably 借代!

2. Common Types of 借代 in Chinese Rhetoric

借代 usually occurs in a few common patterns. Knowing these patterns will help you recognize the device quickly during analysis.

2.1 Type A: 以部分代整体 (Yǐ Bùfèn Dài Zhěngtǐ) – Part for the Whole

This is often called Synecdoche. You use a specific part or feature of something to represent the entire thing.

借代 Example (借体)	Actual Meaning (本体)	Relationship
丝竹 (Sī Zhú - Silk and Bamboo)	Musical Instruments / Music	Musical instruments were traditionally made of silk strings and bamboo tubes.
巾帼 (Jīnguó - Headscarf/Kerchief)	Women / Female Heroes	The headscarf is a traditional accessory worn by women.
千帆 (Qiān Fān - A thousand sails)	A large fleet of boats/ships	The sail is a key part of the ship.

2.2 Type B: 以特征代人或事物 (Yǐ Tèzhēng Dài Rén huò Shìwù) – Characteristic for the Person/Thing

This uses a prominent trait, clothing, or tool associated with someone to represent that person or group.

Example 1 (Trait): “我们需要更多的红心来帮助那些不幸的人。” (We need more Red Hearts to help the unfortunate.)
(红心 stands for Kind people / people with love.)

Example 2 (Tool/Clothing): “那位白衣天使救了我的命。” (That White-Clothed Angel saved my life.)
(白衣天使 stands for Nurses or Doctors, due to their white uniforms.)

2.3 Type C: 以处所代机构或人 (Yǐ Chǔsuǒ Dài Jīgòu huò Rén) – Location for the Institution or Authority

This is very common in political or official writing. We use the location where an institution is housed to represent the institution itself or the people who work there.

Example 1: “克里姆林宫宣布了新政策。” (The Kremlin announced a new policy.)
(克里姆林宫 stands for The Russian Government/Administration.)

Example 2: “这场战争是华尔街的错。” (This war is Wall Street's fault.)
(华尔街 stands for The American financial sector/bankers.)

Did you know?

The English word 'Crown' (referring to the monarchy) is a perfect example of 借代! The physical crown stands for the abstract authority of the King or Queen.

3. Differentiating 借代 from 比喻 (Simile/Metaphor)

This is the most common point of confusion for students studying rhetoric. Pay close attention to the difference between 借代 and 比喻 (Metaphor).

3.1 The Fundamental Difference

比喻 (Bǐyù - Metaphor/Simile): Relies on similarity (相似性).
It claims A *is like* B, or A *is* B, based on shared qualities (e.g., bravery, brightness, shape).

借代 (Jièdài - Metonymy): Relies on association or linkage (相关性).
It claims A *is associated with* B (they are physically or logically related, like a part to a whole, or a container to its content).

Device	Example	Explanation
比喻 (Metaphor)	“她是一朵花。” (She is a flower.)	Similarity: She is beautiful (like a flower).
借代 (Jièdài)	“他放下了钢笔。” (He put down the pen.)	Association: 钢笔 stands for his writing career or task.

Memory Aid: If you can use "like" or "as" (像/好像) between the two items, it's 比喻. If the two items are naturally connected in real life (e.g., location/institution, object/user), it's 借代.

4. The Rhetorical Function (修辞作用) of 借代

When analyzing a text, you must explain why the writer chose to use 借代.

4.1 Function 1: 突出事物特征 (Highlighting Characteristics)

By using an object associated with the person (like "白衣天使"), the writer immediately highlights the most important aspect of that person (their dedication, profession, or role). This creates a stronger impact than simply saying "The doctor."

4.2 Function 2: 语言简洁有力 (Making Language Concise and Powerful)

借代 allows the writer to compress complex ideas into short, striking phrases. Using "铁蹄" (Iron Hooves) is much shorter and more evocative than saying "invading enemy armies with their horses and weapons."

4.3 Function 3: 使表达生动形象 (Making Expression Vivid and Concrete)

Abstract concepts can be visualized through concrete objects. When you refer to power as "王冠" (The Crown), the reader immediately visualizes a specific, tangible object, making the text more engaging and less abstract.

Don’t worry if analyzing rhetoric seems tricky at first. Practice recognizing the relationships between the words—that's the secret to mastering 借代!