representative
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representative
A person who officially represents a group, organization, company, or country and acts or speaks on its behalf.
Als Repräsentant des Unternehmens führte er die Verhandlungen mit den neuen Partnern.
As a representative of the company, he conducted the negotiations with the new partners.
The word belongs to the word family of 'repräsentieren' (to represent). A 'Repräsentant' (representative) is therefore a person who represents something or someone.
Er wurde ausgewählt, um die Studierenden im Komitee zu repräsentieren.
He was chosen to represent the students on the committee.
'Repräsentant' (representative) is a formal word. It is used mainly in written language or in official contexts such as politics, academia, and business.
Die Repräsentanten der Mitgliedsstaaten trafen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The representatives of the member states met for a conference.
To express who or what is being represented, formal language usually uses the genitive. The preposition 'von' (of/from) is more colloquial, but also correct.
Der Repräsentant des Volkes hielt eine Rede im Parlament.
The representative of the people gave a speech in parliament.
In this symbolic meaning, the word refers to an idea, an era, or a style, not to a company or country. Adjectives like 'wichtigster' (most important) or 'typischer' (typical) often come before it.
Beethoven gilt als wichtiger Repräsentant der Wiener Klassik.
Beethoven is considered an important representative of Viennese Classicism.
example
'das Beispiel' and 'der Repräsentant' can both show something that stands for a larger idea or group. But a 'Beispiel' is usually a concrete case used to explain something. 'Repräsentant' sounds stronger: a person or thing is considered typical of a period, idea, or quality. It is easy to confuse the words when something does not just explain something, but also embodies something larger. In everyday language, 'Beispiel' is usually more natural. 'Repräsentant' is more suitable in more formal texts or when you want to emphasize that someone or something stands in for many others.
Dieser Roman gilt als wichtiger Repräsentant der modernen Literatur.
This novel is considered an important representative of modern literature.
Ein gutes Beispiel für höfliche Sprache ist eine freundliche Bitte.
A good example of polite language is a friendly request.