represent
represent — 動詞
- representpresent simple I / you / we / they
- representshe / she / it
- representedpast simple
- representing-ing form
1. to function as the official voice or agent of a person, group, or organization,
代表
代表他人發言或行事
to function as the official voice or agent of a person, group, or organization, especially when defending their interests or putting forward their views in a formal setting such as a court, meeting, or negotiation
Nkechi's lawyer will represent her during the court hearing next Monday.
Nkechi 的律師將在下週一的法庭聽證會上代表她。
represent + person (legal context)
The mayor sent three officials to represent the city at the climate conference.
市長派遣三位官員代表該市參加氣候會議。
Christopher asked his brother to represent him at the family meeting.
Christopher 請他的弟弟在家庭會議上代表他出席。
A large law firm was hired to represent the hospital in the dispute.
一家大型律師事務所受僱代表這間醫院處理糾紛。
The union leader represented the factory workers during the pay talks.
工會領袖在薪資談判中代表工廠工人發言。
文法句型
represent + person/organization
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or organization with authority to act for others. Common in legal, political, and business contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to serve in a parliament, congress, or similar law-making body as the elected of
代表選區
擔任特定選區的民意代表
to serve in a parliament, congress, or similar law-making body as the elected official for a specific geographical constituency or district
Senator Otis has represented this rural district for over twenty years.
Otis 參議員已經代表這個鄉村選區長達二十多年。
represent + [area] + for + [time period]
Vikram hopes to represent the eastern suburbs in the state assembly.
Vikram 希望能在州議會中代表東部郊區。
Maeve was the first woman to represent her county in the national parliament.
Maeve 是第一位在國會中代表所屬郡的女性。
Each province sends three delegates to represent its interests in the council.
每個省份派出三名代表在議會中捍衛其利益。
文法句型
represent + constituency/area
用法筆記
Frequently used with geographical area names (district, constituency, suburb, county) as the object. The subject is always an elected person.
常見錯誤
3. to participate in an athletic contest game or other competition as a chosen memb
代表參賽
代表某團體參加比賽
to participate in an athletic contest game or other competition as a chosen member of a particular country, school, team, or organisation
Lakshmi will represent Kenya in the Olympic marathon next summer.
Lakshmi 將在明年夏季奧運會中代表肯亞參加馬拉松比賽。
represent + country + in + event
Our school sent five students to represent us at the debating championship.
我們學校派出五名學生代表本校參加辯論錦標賽。
Otis felt very proud to represent his university at the national chess tournament.
Otis 對於能代表他的大學參加全國西洋棋錦標賽感到非常驕傲。
The national team selected Amihan to represent the country in judo.
國家隊選拔 Amihan 代表該國參加柔道比賽。
- play for
specific to sports teams; less formal
- compete for
emphasises the competitive aspect; also transitive
文法句型
represent + country/school/team + in + event
用法筆記
The object is always a group (country, school, team, club) and the context is almost always competitive (sports, debate, quiz).
4. to formally express a concern, opinion, or complaint to someone in authority, es
陳述；申訴
向主管機關正式表達意見
to formally express a concern, opinion, or complaint to someone in authority, especially when seeking a change or response
The residents represented their concerns about the new highway to the mayor.
居民向市長陳述他們對新高速公路的擔憂。
represent + concerns + to + authority
Yara represented to the committee that the library needed more funding.
Yara 向委員會申訴表示圖書館需要更多經費。
represent + that-clause (formal pattern)
The shop owners represented their worries about the parking changes at the meeting.
商店老闆在會議中陳述了他們對停車位變動的憂慮。
The organisation represented its objections to the proposed law in a formal letter.
該組織以正式信函向主管機關表達對該法案的反對意見。
文法句型
represent + that-clause
represent + concerns/objections + to + authority
用法筆記
Almost always used in formal contexts such as politics, administration, or legal proceedings. The that-clause pattern is more common in British English than American English.
常見錯誤
5. to show, depict, or describe a person or thing through images, words, or other m
描繪；描述
用圖像或文字展現
to show, depict, or describe a person or thing through images, words, or other media, often conveying a specific impression or interpretation
The painting represents a young woman sitting alone by an open window.
這幅畫描繪了一位年輕女子獨自坐在敞開的窗邊。
This graph clearly represents the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
這張圖表清楚顯示了過去一個世紀全球氣溫的上升趨勢。
adverb + represent (clearly represents)
The documentary represents the daily struggles of migrant workers with great honesty.
這部紀錄片以非常誠實的角度描述了移工的日常困境。
Élise's novel represents village life in southern France during the 1950s.
Élise 的小說描繪了 1950 年代法國南部鄉村的生活。
The media often represents young people as lazy and uninterested in politics.
媒體常常將年輕人描繪成懶散且對政治不感興趣的樣子。
- depict
more formal; strongly associated with visual art
- portray
suggests a particular interpretation or angle
- illustrate
focuses on making something clear or explaining
文法句型
represent + someone/something + as + adjective
represent + someone/something + in + way
用法筆記
When used with 'as', this sense can imply that the description may be unfair or one-sided. The object can be a person, scene, event, or abstract idea.
常見錯誤
6. to function as an object, image, or mark that carries a particular meaning, stan
象徵
作為某事物的象徵
to function as an object, image, or mark that carries a particular meaning, standing for an idea, quality, or feeling within a culture or tradition
A red rose often represents love and passion in Western poetry.
紅玫瑰在西方詩歌中常象徵愛情與熱情。
represent + abstract concept (uses symbol-image mapping)
The white dove represents peace in many cultures around the world.
白鴿在世界許多文化中象徵和平。
For the team, the championship trophy represents years of dedication and sacrifice.
對團隊來說，這個冠軍獎盃象徵著多年的努力與犧牲。
This ancient symbol represents the connection between the earth and the sky.
這個古老的符號象徵著大地與天空之間的聯繫。
文法句型
represent + abstract concept
用法筆記
Unlike sense 5 (SHOW/DESCRIBE), this sense does not involve intentional depiction by an artist or writer. Instead, the subject naturally carries symbolic meaning in a culture or context.
7. to be equal to something, constitute a particular result or achievement, or serv
等於；意味
構成或等同於某事物
to be equal to something, constitute a particular result or achievement, or serve as an example of a particular type of thing
The company's latest offer represents a significant pay rise for all employees.
公司最新提出的條件意味著所有員工將獲得顯著的加薪。
represent + [result/achievement]
This decision represents a complete change of direction for the organisation.
這項決定代表了該組織的方針徹底轉變。
Eli's final exam score represents the highest result ever achieved in the programme.
Eli 期末考試的分數是該課程有史以來的最高成績。
The new policy represents an important step forward in protecting the coastline.
這項新政策代表了保護海岸線重要的一步。
- constitute
more formal; often used in legal or official contexts
- amount to
suggests a cumulative or total effect
- be
simpler but less precise in formal writing
文法句型
represent + noun phrase (result/amount)
用法筆記
This sense often links a concrete action or event to a broader significance or category. It is frequently used in formal or analytical writing.
常見錯誤
8. to assume the role of a character in a stage play, film, television show, or oth
飾演
在舞臺或影視中扮演
to assume the role of a character in a stage play, film, television show, or other dramatic production
Manuela was chosen to represent the queen in the school play this year.
Manuela 獲選在今年學校話劇中飾演女王。
A famous Hollywood actor represents Hamlet in the new film adaptation.
一位好萊塢知名演員在新版電影中飾演哈姆雷特。
represent + [character name] + in + [production]
Eitan represented a famous general in the historical drama series.
Eitan 在歷史劇集中飾演一位名將。
In the opera, the lead singer represents the spirit of the enchanted forest.
在這部歌劇中，主唱飾演魔法森林的精靈。
文法句型
represent + character/role
用法筆記
This sense is less common in everyday speech; 'play' or 'perform' are more frequently used. 'Represent' here carries a slightly more formal or literary tone, often used when discussing the role in terms of its symbolic or dramatic meaning.