Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '대표' (daepyo) primarily means 'representative' or 'delegate.' It is used to refer to a person who acts on behalf of a group, organization, or country. This can be in formal settings such as meetings, sports, or student councils.
Common Contexts
'대표' is often used in business contexts (e.g., company representatives), sports (e.g., national team representatives), and social groups (e.g., student representatives). It implies responsibility and authority to speak or act for others.
Collocations and Patterns
- 대표로 참석하다: to attend as a representative
- 대표 선수: representative athlete
- 학생 대표: student representative
- 대표 회의: representative meeting
These collocations highlight the role of '대표' as someone chosen or appointed to represent a larger group.
Register and Politeness
'대표' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with verbs or titles, the formality depends on the overall sentence.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '대표' with '대변인' (spokesperson). While both represent others, '대표' is broader and can include leadership roles, whereas '대변인' specifically refers to someone who speaks on behalf of an organization.