Usage note
代表表示代替别人，也表示符号或典型。
dài biǎo biǎo shì dài tì bié rén， yě biǎo shì fú hào huò diǎn xíng。
代表 means to speak for someone, or to symbolize/represent.
Context note
代表常用于会议、组织和象征。
dài biǎo cháng yòng yú huì yì 、 zǔ zhī hé xiàng zhēng。
It is often used with meetings, organizations, and symbols.
5 examples
他代表班级发言。
tā dài biǎo bān jí fā yán。
He speaks on behalf of the class.
红色代表热情。
hóng sè dài biǎo rè qíng。
Red represents passion.
她是学生代表。
tā shì xué shēng dài biǎo。
She is a student representative.
这个图案代表幸福。
zhè ge tú àn dài biǎo xìng fú。
This pattern represents happiness.
代表大家的意见。
dài biǎo dà jiā de yì jiàn。
Represent everyone's opinion.
5 mini stories
老师选他代表班级参加比赛。
lǎo shī xuǎn tā dài biǎo bān jí cān jiā bǐ sài。
The teacher chose him to represent the class in the competition.
颜色也可以代表不同的意思。
yán sè yě kě yǐ dài biǎo bù tóng de yì sī。
Colors can also represent different meanings.
她作为代表去开会。
tā zuò wéi dài biǎo qù kāi huì。
She attended the meeting as a representative.
这个标志代表安全。
zhè ge biāo zhì dài biǎo ān quán。
This sign represents safety.
大家选出一位代表发言。
dà jiā xuǎn chū yí wèi dài biǎo fā yán。
Everyone chose one representative to speak.
Mini dialogue
班级发言
A
明天谁代表我们班去演讲？
Míngtiān shéi dàibiǎo wǒmen bān qù yǎnjiǎng?
Who will represent our class to give the speech tomorrow?
B
老师选了小明代表我们。
Lǎoshī xuǎn le Xiǎo Míng dàibiǎo wǒmen.
The teacher chose Xiao Ming to represent us.
送礼物
A
这束花代表我们的感谢。
Zhè shù huā dàibiǎo wǒmen de gǎnxiè.
This bouquet of flowers represents our thanks.
B
谢谢大家，我很感动。
Xièxie dàjiā, wǒ hěn gǎndòng.
Thank you everyone, I am very touched.
Related words and contrasts
contrast
代替
dài tì
to replace; substitute
代表 means to represent someone; 代替 means to replace someone or something.
similar
发言人
fāyánrén
spokesperson
A 发言人 is a type of 代表 who speaks for a group.