代表

• Pinyin: dài biǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 代 = 亻(person) + 弋 (to shoot, phonetic); 表 = originally depicted an outer garment, meaning outward expression

Meaning

Representative; to represent. A person who acts on behalf of others, or the action of standing for something.

As a noun, 代表 refers to a delegate or spokesperson. As a verb, it means to represent, symbolize, or stand for a group, idea, or quality. Very common in both formal and informal contexts, from political usage to everyday expressions.

Examples

1. 她是我们班的学生代表。 She is the student representative for our class.
2. 红色在中国代表喜庆和好运。 Red represents celebration and good luck in China.
3. 这个代表团一共有二十个人。 This delegation has twenty people in total.

Usage Guide

Context: work, politics, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我代表全家感谢你的帮助。(I represent our whole family in thanking you for your help.)
• 请派一个代表来参加会议。(Please send a representative to attend the meeting.)

Don't Say

• 我代表我自己来参加。(Saying 代表我自己 is redundant — just say 我来参加 since you naturally represent yourself)

Origin & History

Compound of 代 (to substitute, generation) and 表 (to show, surface). Together they mean to show or act on behalf of others.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal