代行

• Reading: だいこう
• Romaji: daikō
• Kanji breakdown: 代 (dai) — substitute, replace, generation; 行 (kō) — conduct, carry out, go
• Pronunciation: /da.i.koː/

Meaning

Acting on behalf; proxy; agency. The performance of a duty or role in place of the person normally responsible.

A highly versatile noun used with する or in compound titles. 社長代行 (acting president), 業務代行 (outsourced operations), and 運転代行 (designated driver service) are common examples. In corporate settings, 代行 often indicates a temporary substitution during absence. It differs from 代理 (dairi) in that 代行 emphasises performing tasks on someone's behalf, while 代理 emphasises representing them with authority.

Examples

1. 社長が海外出張中のため、専務が社長代行として会議を取り仕切った。 With the president away on an overseas business trip, the executive vice president chaired the meeting as acting president.
2. 高齢の親に代わり、息子が行政手続きを代行することになった。 In place of his elderly parent, the son took on the task of handling the administrative procedures.
3. 運転代行サービスを利用することで、飲酒後の事故リスクを大幅に減らせる。 Using a designated driver service greatly reduces the risk of accidents after drinking.

Usage Guide

Context: business, administration, services

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 代 (dai, substitute/replace) and 行 (ko, conduct/carry out). The combination captures the idea of carrying out a function in another's place — substituting in action.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal