represent; representative
HSK level
代表 is written with 13 strokes (代: 5, 表: 8). The animation replays automatically.
代表 (dàibiǎo) works as both a verb, 'to represent / to stand for / on behalf of,' and a noun, 'a representative / delegate.'
As a verb it links a person or thing to what it symbolizes: 红色代表热情 ('red represents passion'), or 我代表公司 ('I, on behalf of the company'). As a noun it names someone acting for a group — a delegate, a spokesperson, a class representative (班代表). English separates these into 'represent' (verb) and 'representative' (noun), but Chinese uses the same two characters for both, with the surrounding grammar telling you which.
It is neutral in register, common in both business/political contexts and everyday speech. Note that 代表 emphasizes standing in for or symbolizing something; to physically substitute for someone you use 代替 (dàitì) instead.
Character by character
Memory hook: 代 (on behalf of) + 表 (to express) → to express on someone's behalf = to represent.
代表 appears in 1 Fluentide podcast episode at natural native speed — each with the full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
Browse the full episode library我代表全家欢迎你。
Wǒ dàibiǎo quánjiā huānyíng nǐ.
On behalf of my whole family, welcome.
neutral
他是我们班的代表。
Tā shì wǒmen bān de dàibiǎo.
He is our class representative.
neutral
在中国，红色代表喜庆。
Zài Zhōngguó, hóngsè dàibiǎo xǐqìng.
In China, red represents celebration.
written
这幅画是他的代表作。
Zhè fú huà shì tā de dàibiǎozuò.
This painting is his representative work.
written
象征 means 'to symbolize' and is more abstract and literary (鸽子象征和平, 'the dove symbolizes peace'). 代表 can mean 'symbolize' too but also 'act on behalf of,' which 象征 cannot.
代理 means 'to act as agent for / acting (in a role),' focusing on temporarily filling a duty. 代表 is standing for or symbolizing a group; 代理 is doing someone's job for them.
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