====== dàibiǎotuán: 代表团 - Delegation, Mission, Deputation ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
`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 Sentences =====
  *   **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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  *   **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`.