dàibiǎotuán: 代表团 - Delegation, Mission, Deputation

• Keywords: dàibiǎotuán, 代表团, Chinese delegation, Chinese mission, what is a daibiaotuan, meaning of daibiaotuan, Chinese for delegation, learn Chinese politics, formal Chinese group, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: The Chinese term 代表团 (dàibiǎotuán) translates to “delegation” or “mission.” It refers to a formal, organized group of people sent to represent a larger entity like a country, company, or organization. Understanding dàibiǎotuán is key to grasping how official interactions in politics, business, and cultural exchanges are structured in the Chinese-speaking world, highlighting a cultural emphasis on collective representation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dàibiǎotuán
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A group of people appointed to represent a country, organization, or other collective body; a delegation.
• In a Nutshell: Think of a `代表团` as an official “away team.” It's not just any group of people; it's a formally assembled team with a specific purpose, like negotiating a trade deal, participating in the Olympics, or attending an international conference. The word itself combines “represent” (`代表`) with “group” (`团`), literally meaning a “representative group,” which perfectly captures its formal and collective nature.

• 代 (dài): To represent, to act on behalf of, or to substitute. This character sets the stage, indicating that the person or group is not acting for themselves, but for a higher authority or larger body.
• 表 (biǎo): To show, to express, or a surface. When combined with `代`, `代表 (dàibiǎo)` means “to represent” or “a representative,” someone who expresses the views of others.
• 团 (tuán): Group, team, or corps. This is the crucial element that turns the individual representative into a collective unit. It's the same character used in words like `团体 (tuántǐ)` - group/organization, and `旅游团 (lǚyóu tuán)` - tour group.

The characters combine logically: `代 (to represent)` + `表 (to express)` = `代表 (representative)`. Then, `代表 (representative)` + `团 (group)` = `代表团 (representative group)`, or a delegation.

The concept of a `代表团` is deeply ingrained in the formal structures of Chinese society. It reflects a collectivist cultural value where the group's goals, message, and identity often take precedence over the individual members. In Western cultures, a “delegation” is a similar concept, but there's often more room for individual members to express personal opinions or dissent. A Chinese `代表团`, however, is typically expected to present a completely unified front. The members have discussed and agreed upon their position beforehand, and they will speak with one voice to the outside world. The head of the delegation, the `团长 (tuánzhǎng)`, holds significant authority and is usually the sole spokesperson on major issues. This unity projects strength, seriousness, and respect for the entity they represent. It's a manifestation of collective responsibility in a high-stakes, formal setting.

`代表团` is a formal term used in specific, important contexts. You will frequently encounter it in news reports, official documents, and formal business communication.

• Politics and Diplomacy: This is the most common usage. A country sends a `代表团` to the United Nations, a climate summit, or bilateral talks.
  • e.g., 中国代表团就此问题发表了声明。 (The Chinese delegation issued a statement on this issue.)
• Business: A company will send a `代表团` to negotiate a major merger, explore a new market, or attend a trade fair.
  • e.g., 我司代表团下周将飞往德国进行商务谈判。(Our company's delegation will fly to Germany next week for business negotiations.)
• Cultural and Academic Exchange: A university might send a student `代表团` to a competition, or a country might send a cultural `代表团` (like an orchestra or dance troupe) to perform abroad.
• Sports: The group of athletes, coaches, and officials representing a country at an event like the Olympic Games is called a `体育代表团 (tǐyù dàibiǎotuán)` or simply `代表团`.

The term is almost always neutral or positive in connotation and is strictly formal. You would never use it to describe a group of friends or a family outing.

• Example 1:
  • 中国代表团已经抵达日内瓦，准备参加世界卫生大会。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó dàibiǎotuán yǐjīng dǐdá Rìnèiwǎ, zhǔnbèi cānjiā Shìjiè Wèishēng Dàhuì.
  • English: The Chinese delegation has already arrived in Geneva, ready to attend the World Health Assembly.
  • Analysis: A classic example from news/politics. `代表团` refers to a formal, national-level group.
• Example 2:
  • 我们热情欢迎了来自姐妹城市的教育代表团。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen rèqíng huānyíngle láizì jiěmèi chéngshì de jiàoyù dàibiǎotuán.
  • English: We warmly welcomed the education delegation from our sister city.
  • Analysis: This shows the term can be used for non-national groups, like one representing a city. The modifier `教育 (jiàoyù)` specifies the delegation's purpose.
• Example 3:
  • 他是我们公司商务代表团的团长。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì wǒmen gōngsī shāngwù dàibiǎotuán de tuánzhǎng.
  • English: He is the head of our company's business delegation.
  • Analysis: Highlights the business context and introduces the related term `团长 (tuánzhǎng)`, meaning “head of the delegation.”
• Example 4:
  • 能加入奥运代表团是每个运动员的梦想。
  • Pinyin: Néng jiārù Àoyùn dàibiǎotuán shì měi ge yùndòngyuán de mèngxiǎng.
  • English: Being able to join the Olympic delegation is every athlete's dream.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of `代表团` in the context of sports.
• Example 5:
  • 两个代表团在会议室里进行了长达五小时的谈判。
  • Pinyin: Liǎng ge dàibiǎotuán zài huìyìshì lǐ jìnxíngle chángdá wǔ xiǎoshí de tánpàn.
  • English: The two delegations held negotiations in the conference room for as long as five hours.
  • Analysis: This shows an interaction between two delegations, a common scenario in diplomacy and business.
• Example 6:
  • 这个学生代表团将代表学校参加全国辩论赛。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge xuéshēng dàibiǎotuán jiāng dàibiǎo xuéxiào cānjiā quánguó biànlùnsài.
  • English: This student delegation will represent the school in the national debate competition.
  • Analysis: Shows the term can be used at the institutional level, like for a school.
• Example 7:
  • 代表团的行程安排得非常紧凑。
  • Pinyin: Dàibiǎotuán de xíngchéng ānpái de fēicháng jǐncòu.
  • English: The delegation's schedule is arranged very tightly.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence about the logistics associated with a delegation.
• Example 8:
  • 会后，主办方为来访的代表团举行了欢迎晚宴。
  • Pinyin: Huì hòu, zhǔbànfāng wèi láifǎng de dàibiǎotuán jǔxíngle huānyíng wǎnyàn.
  • English: After the meeting, the host held a welcome dinner for the visiting delegation.
  • Analysis: This describes a common hospitality practice related to receiving a `代表团`.
• Example 9:
  • 作为代表团的一员，我感到非常荣幸。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi dàibiǎotuán de yī yuán, wǒ gǎndào fēicháng róngxìng.
  • English: As a member of the delegation, I feel very honored.
  • Analysis: A first-person perspective, emphasizing the sense of honor associated with being chosen.
• Example 10:
  • 本次代表团的主要任务是考察当地的投资环境。
  • Pinyin: Běncì dàibiǎotuán de zhǔyào rènwù shì kǎochá dāngdì de tóuzī huánjìng.
  • English: The main task of this delegation is to investigate the local investment environment.
  • Analysis: Clearly states the purpose or `任务 (rènwù)` of the delegation, a key element of its function.

• Don't use it for informal groups: The most common mistake is to use `代表团` for any group. It is strictly for formal, representative bodies. A group of friends on vacation is `一群朋友 (yī qún péngyǒu)`. A tourist group is a `旅游团 (lǚyóu tuán)`. Calling them a `代表团` would sound strange and overly formal.
  • Incorrect: 我和我的朋友们组成了一个代表团去逛街。(My friends and I formed a delegation to go shopping.)
  • Correct: 我和我的朋友们一起去逛街了。(My friends and I went shopping together.)
• `代表团` (the group) vs. `代表` (the individual): Don't confuse the collective group with the single individual. `代表 (dàibiǎo)` is one representative; `代表团 (dàibiǎotuán)` is the entire group of representatives.
  • Correct: 他是联合国的一名代表。(He is a representative at the UN.)
  • Correct: 他加入了中国的联合国代表团。(He joined China's UN delegation.)
  • Incorrect: 他是中国的联合国代表团。(He is China's UN delegation.) (He cannot be the entire group) ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * 代表 (dàibiǎo) - Representative; the individual member of a `代表团`. * 团长 (tuánzhǎng) - Head of the delegation; the leader of the group. * 访问团 (fǎngwèn tuán) - A visiting delegation; emphasizes the purpose of visiting, often for goodwill or general exchange. * 考察团 (kǎochá tuán) - An inspection or fact-finding delegation; emphasizes the purpose of investigating or surveying something. * 使团 (shǐtuán) - Diplomatic mission; more permanent and official than a `代表团`, often referring to the staff of an entire embassy. * 官方 (guānfāng) - Official; an adjective that often describes a `代表团`. * 谈判 (tánpàn) - Negotiation; a common activity for a business or political `代表团`. * 团体 (tuántǐ) - Group, organization; a more general and less formal term for a collective body. A `代表团` is a type of `团体`. * 成员 (chéngyuán) - Member; a person who is part of a group like a `代表团`.