代号

• Pinyin: dài hào
• Hanzi breakdown: 代 = 亻(person) + 弋 (retrieve), meaning substitute; 号 = 口 (mouth) + 丂, meaning call or name

Meaning

Code name; designation; alias. A noun referring to a name or number used in place of a real name for secrecy or identification.

Used in military, spy, and tech contexts for project names or agent identities. Also used for product code names before official launch, or as informal nicknames in online communities.

Examples

1. 这个秘密行动的代号是猎鹰计划。 The code name for this secret operation is Project Falcon.
2. 他在组织里的代号叫老狼，真实身份至今成谜。 His code name in the organization is Old Wolf — his true identity remains a mystery.
3. 新款手机的代号已经泄露，网上到处都是猜测。 The code name for the new phone has already leaked, and speculation is everywhere online.

Usage Guide

Context: military, technology, secrecy

Tone: mysterious

Do Say

• 他的代号是什么？(What's his code name?)
• 这个项目代号叫凤凰。(This project is code-named Phoenix.)

Don't Say

• 我的代号是小明 (代号 implies secrecy or formal designation — use 外号 or 绰号 for casual nicknames)

Origin & History

Compound of 代 (substitute, represent) + 号 (name, number). Together meaning a substitute name.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal