representation

/ˌreprɪzenˈteɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌreprɪzenˈteɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌre-pri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən -zən-/ (ame, mw)

representation — 名詞

  • representationsingular
  • representationsplural

1. the activity of speaking, making decisions, or taking official action on behalf

1.名詞B2
釋義

代表；代理

替他人行使權利或發言的行為

the activity of speaking, making decisions, or taking official action on behalf of another person or group, especially in legal, political, or professional contexts

例句

Hassan hired a lawyer to handle his representation during the contract dispute.

Hassan 聘請了一名律師在合約糾紛期間替他處理法律上的代理事宜。

uncountable: representation during [event]

The union offers free legal representation for all its members in salary negotiations.

工會在薪資協商中為所有會員提供免費的法律代理服務。

collocation: legal representation

同義詞
  • agency

    more technical, often about the legal right to act for another

  • delegation

    focuses on sending someone on one's behalf, typically a group

反義詞

用法筆記

Uncountable. Most common with 'legal', 'political', 'diplomatic', or 'union' as modifiers. The person who provides representation is a 'representative', not 'representation'.

常見錯誤

❌She is my legal representation for this case.
✅She is my legal representative for this case.
💡'Representation' is the activity; a 'representative' is the person who does it.

2. an image or understanding of someone or something created through a work of art,

2.名詞B2
釋義

描繪；呈現

在藝術或媒體中對某事物的特定呈現

an image or understanding of someone or something created through a work of art, literature, film, or other media, reflecting a particular viewpoint or interpretation

例句

The documentary gave a balanced representation of daily life in the mountain villages.

這部紀錄片平衡地呈現了山區村莊的日常生活。

adjective + representation of [topic]

Anjali thought the novel's representation of teenage friendship felt completely genuine.

Anjali 覺得小說對青少年友誼的描繪感覺非常真實。

同義詞
  • portrayal

    more artistic; emphasizes how a character or subject is depicted

  • depiction

    emphasizes the visual aspect of showing something

  • image

    broader — the general impression created, not limited to media

用法筆記

Countable when referring to a specific portrayal ('a negative representation of teachers'); uncountable when speaking generally ('balanced representation is important'). Compare with sense 8 (WAY OF DESCRIBING) in the b2 chunk, which focuses on the act or manner of presenting rather than the resulting image.

常見錯誤

❌The movie is a representation about love.
✅The movie is a representation of teenage love.
💡Use 'of', not 'about', after 'representation'.

3. a visible object, drawing, diagram, or symbol that stands for or shows something

3.名詞B1
釋義

象徵物；圖示

代表某事物的圖像、模型或符號

a visible object, drawing, diagram, or symbol that stands for or shows something else

例句

The chart is a visual representation of how the school spends its budget each year.

這張圖表以視覺方式呈現了學校每年的預算支出情形。

visual representation of [data]

Mert built a small wooden representation of the old temple for his geography project.

Mert 為地理課做了一個古廟的小木製模型。

同義詞
  • symbol

    more abstract; stands for something by convention, e.g. a dove as a symbol of peace

  • model

    a three-dimensional physical or conceptual version

  • diagram

    a simplified drawing showing the structure or workings of something

用法筆記

Countable. Often modified by adjectives describing the form: 'visual', 'graphic', 'physical', 'symbolic', 'diagrammatic'.

常見錯誤

❌This sculpture is a representation of feel joy.
✅This sculpture is a representation of joy.
💡Use a noun phrase, not a verb, after 'representation of'.

4. the inclusion of people from a wide range of backgrounds—such as different races

4.名詞B2
釋義

多元代表性

不同群體在媒體、職場的參與程度

the inclusion of people from a wide range of backgrounds—such as different races, genders, cultures, or abilities—in a particular setting such as films, politics, advertising, or the workplace

例句

The television network promised to improve representation of disabled actors in its shows.

這家電視網承諾在節目中提升身心障礙演員的代表性。

improve representation of [group] in [setting]

Michael's school started a programme to increase the representation of girls in science classes.

Michael 的學校啟動了一項計畫，提高女生在自然科學課中的參與比例。

increase representation of [group] in [setting]

同義詞
  • diversity

    broader concept — refers to the variety itself rather than the act of including

  • inclusion

    focuses on making people feel welcome and involved

反義詞

用法筆記

Uncountable. Common in discussions about media, education, and workplace diversity. Often paired with 'gender', 'racial', 'ethnic', 'cultural', or 'minority'. Compare with sense 9 (LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM) in the b2 chunk, which refers to the formal political system of electing representatives.

常見錯誤

❌The TV show improved representation of woman.
✅The TV show improved representation of women.
💡Use the plural form for the group being included.

5. a written or spoken statement submitted to a person or group in authority, usual

5.名詞C1
釋義

陳情；聲明

向主管機關提出的意見或抗議

a written or spoken statement submitted to a person or group in authority, usually to complain about something, make a request, or express an opinion

例句

Local residents sent formal representations to the mayor about the dangerous intersection.

當地居民向市長正式陳情，反映那個危險路口的問題。

countable, often plural: send representations to [authority]

Michael prepared a written representation to argue against the new parking fees for staff.

Michael 準備了一份書面陳述，反對新的員工停車收費方案。

同義詞
  • submission

    more general — any document formally presented for consideration

  • petition

    a written request signed by many people

  • remonstrance

    a forcefully worded protest, quite formal and rare

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural 'representations' when referring to formal statements of complaint or opinion. Typically followed by 'to' (the authority) and 'about/regarding' (the issue). The singular 'representation' is possible but rare.

常見錯誤

❌I made a representation to my teacher about the homework.
✅I made a representation to the school board about the new policy.
💡This sense is formal and typically directed at authorities or governing bodies, not everyday situations.

6. a staged presentation of a dramatic work put on for an audience

6.名詞C1
釋義

戲劇演出

在舞台上表演戲劇作品

a staged presentation of a dramatic work put on for an audience

例句

The drama club gave a lively representation of the classic fairy tale at the festival.

學校戲劇社在慶典上生動演出了那部經典童話故事。

representation of [play] by [group] for [event]

Hassan's theatre group is known for its dramatic representations of historical events.

Hassan 的劇團以其對歷史事件的戲劇性演繹而聞名。

collocation: dramatic representation

同義詞
  • performance

    the common modern term; neutral and widely used

  • production

    focuses on the staging and preparation of a play

反義詞
  • rehearsal

    practice for a performance, not the actual show for an audience

用法筆記

Countable. A formal or slightly old-fashioned term for a theatrical performance. In everyday modern English, 'performance' or 'production' is much more common.

7. the group of people chosen to speak and make decisions for a larger community, s

7.名詞B2
釋義

代表團

受選舉產生、為群體發言的一群人

the group of people chosen to speak and make decisions for a larger community, such as voters in a particular area.

例句

The city council's representation includes three members from each district.

市議會的代表團包括來自每個選區的三名成員。

representation + includes + members from district

Sofia was elected to the student representation that meets with the principal monthly.

Sofia 當選為學生代表團成員，每月與校長開會。

同義詞
  • delegation

    often refers to a group sent to a specific event or meeting, while representation implies an ongoing official role

  • deputation

    more formal and usually temporary; less common in everyday speech

  • contingent

    focuses on the group as part of a larger whole, less emphasis on the act of representing

用法筆記

Often used with a possessive noun or adjective (the city's representation, union representation) to identify which community the representatives belong to.

常見錯誤

❌The representation has ten members' (when referring to any group of people).
✅The committee's representation has ten elected members.
💡sense 7 refers specifically to the official group of representatives, not any gathering.

8. the act of showing or describing someone or something from a specific angle, oft

8.名詞B2
釋義

呈現角度

以特定方式描述或展現某人某事的行為

the act of showing or describing someone or something from a specific angle, often to shape how others see or understand it.

例句

The media's representation of the accident focused only on the damage.

媒體對這起事故的呈現角度只聚焦在損失上。

representation + of + [noun] focusing on aspect

Nikhil gave a detailed representation of the sales figures during the meeting.

Nikhil 在會議中詳細呈現了銷售數據。

同義詞
  • portrayal

    more common in artistic or media contexts; suggests a crafted image

  • depiction

    focuses on visual or descriptive detail; slightly more formal

  • account

    emphasizes a verbal report; less focused on the angle or spin

用法筆記

Commonly followed by of + noun phrase that names the person, event, or topic being presented in a particular light.

常見錯誤

❌His representation of the plan' (without clarifying the angle).
✅His representation of the plan as low-risk convinced the investors.
💡sense 8 requires context showing the specific way something is framed or presented.

9. the principle or arrangement by which people elect officials to speak and act fo

9.名詞B2
釋義

代議制度

人民選出代表在政府中為其發聲的制度

the principle or arrangement by which people elect officials to speak and act for them in a government or decision-making body.

例句

The new constitution guarantees fair representation for all ethnic groups.

新憲法保障所有族群的公平代議制度。

guarantees + representation + for [group]

Citizens demanded proper representation in the government during the protest.

抗議期間，市民要求在政府中擁有適當的代議制度。

同義詞
  • electoral system

    focuses on the voting process itself, while representation emphasizes having someone speak on your behalf

  • democratic representation

    specifies the type of system; more formal and narrower in scope

  • political voice

    emphasizes the outcome (being heard) rather than the mechanism

用法筆記

Often modified by adjectives like political, fair, proportional, or equal to describe the type or quality of the representative system.

常見錯誤

❌Representation is important' (vague — which sense?).
✅The system of representation in this country gives each region a voice.
💡sense 9 refers specifically to the institutional arrangement, not the act of representing or the group of representatives.