代表团
How to Understand
代表团 (dài biǎo tuán) refers to a group of people who represent an organization, country, or entity in official activities, such as negotiations, conferences, or sports events. It emphasizes the collective nature of the group and their role as representatives.
The character 代 (dài) means 'to act on behalf of' or 'represent,' 表 (biǎo) means 'to express' or 'represent,' and 团 (tuán) means 'group' or 'team.' Together, they form a term that literally means 'representative group,' highlighting both the representational and collective aspects of the term.
代表团 is commonly used in formal settings, such as international summits, sports competitions, or diplomatic missions. For example, the Chinese delegation to the Olympics would be referred to as 中国代表团 (Zhōngguó dàibiǎotuán). Understanding this term helps learners grasp how groups are described in official and cultural contexts in Chinese.