以…换取…
to trade A for B; to gain B at the cost of A
Structure
以 付出的东西 换取 得到的东西
What it means
To trade A for B; to gain B at the cost of A. It often carries criticism: something of value is given up for a gain.
How it is built
以 + what you give up + 换取 + what you get: 一些官员以手中的权力换取钱财 (Some officials trade the power in their hands for money).
When to use it
Written; 以 is the written 用. Critical uses: 以权换钱, 以健康换取收入. Expanded form: 以 A 为代价，换取 B, “at the cost of A”. In speech say 拿 A 换 B or 用 A 换 B.
Watch out
The order never swaps: what follows 以 is given up, what follows 换取 is gained. Selling power for cash is 以权力换取钱财; 以钱财换取权力 would mean the reverse, buying power with money.
Examples
一些官员以手中的权力换取钱财。
Some officials trade the power in their hands for money.
这家公司以降价换取市场份额，利润却越来越薄。
The company is buying market share with price cuts, and its profits keep getting thinner.
不能以牺牲环境为代价，换取一时的经济增长。
We must not sacrifice the environment for short-lived economic growth.
Learn this in Lesson 197 · HSK 7–9: 监察委员会 (The supervision commissions)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →